A/N: Wow… more than a hundred reviews! I didn't think that it was even possible! Thank you VERY much to all my reviewers! You all are very kind!

Thank you to chatterbox, Girl-named-Belle, Mjade, BeliveTheFaith, PotterzGirl, Aindel, Emilie, LP Draconis, Carrii, Dark Comet, fanie87, Meg, TomsBeachChickBum, Keeper of the Circle, The Editor, Picky Corrector, DazzilinAngel555, Dreaming One, Embers and elisa-gurl.

The Editor: I have indented my paragraphs in this chapter! :)

Picky Corrector: No, it is chapter ten. The very first chapter was a prologue. :)

Anyway, here's chapter eleven! Hope you like it!

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MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

By Rage

CHAPTER ELEVEN: REALITY BITES

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Hermione sighed heavily and stared across the table. There was Draco with his mystery girl, whose name, they've found out, was Dana, a fellow Ravenclaw sixth year. They were chatting quietly and every other time, she would hear one of them burst out with laughter.

"Can't they see that we're in a library?" Hermione uttered irritably, clenching her fists. "People come in here to study, not talk!"

Ever since Draco came up to the girl, he had forgotten all about the existence of Hermione, and every waking moment, he would be with her; walking around with her, studying with her, sitting with her, talking with her, laughing with her, being with her… Hermione scowled when she felt the pang of pure jealousy.

So, she closed her book, shoved it into her bag, stood up and strolled out of the library. She didn't think twice about glancing back at Draco; she perfectly knew that he was too preoccupied with Dana to look at Hermione and wave goodbye. She was already used to it anyway; she had experience from the last five years he had ignored her.

But somehow, in a way… this was different. Unlike before, Hermione now wanted to be Draco's center of attention. She wanted him to see only her, and no one else… she wanted his feelings to be hers and hers only. She wanted her to be his… She was scared, scared of losing him…and she didn't know why.

****

"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry waved his hand in front of her face.

Hermione snapped out of her trance and faced him. "I-I'm fine. Don't worry," she replied, giving them an assuring smile.

But still, her two friends looked at her with concern. "You've been acting strange all day!" Ron exclaimed, waving his hands in the air.

"What do you mean?"

"You barely recited in all our classes today! You got one mistake in our History of Magic Quiz, and you didn't do well in performing your Invisibility Charms today!" he said, counting them with his fingers. "You're troubled, aren't you?"

Hermione blushed, glancing at Draco. "Er—no." she answered, turning to them. "I'm just…tired—that's all."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded and smiled. "Yes," she said firmly. "I'm fine, trust me."

Ron and Harry looked at her. "Are you really sure?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes." She took one last bite of her dinner and stood up. "I have to patrol now. I'll meet you later."

The two nodded and started once again to discuss Quidditch. Hermione gave them a tiny smile and left the Great Hall.

****

"Hello, Sir Nicholas." Hermione gave the ghost a smile as she greeted him.

"Good evening, Hermione!" Nearly Headless Nick replied, turning his head to the right. "How's the patrol?"

"It's fine, thanks."

"That's good to hear!" he chuckled slightly. "Well, I must be going. I'm late for my weekly ghost meeting. See you at the Tower!"

Hermione nodded, bidding him goodbye. He disappeared through the wall and left Hermione all to herself. "I wish he stayed," she muttered, sighing and moving on. "It's a bit drafty tonight, but a ghost can give a bit of warmth. I mean—"

She stopped. She had come across her favorite hall—their favorite hall… hers and Draco's… their favorite place. But it wasn't she who was there with him tonight. It wasn't she who was beside him. It wasn't she who was talking with him. It wasn't her anymore…

It was Dana.

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The first day of spring came. The snow melted away silently, and the lush green grass appeared. Flowers started to sprout up so suddenly and warmth spread around in the air. Draco and Dana walked on the grounds, admiring their surroundings that afternoon and chatted away about light things.

At first, Dana insisted on holding his hand all the way. However, Draco had turned crimson and kept his hands in his pocket, which disappointed her so.

"Er—do we have to?" Draco asked stiffly, pulling his hand away. "Someone might see and—"

"Who cares what others see?" Dana exclaimed. "Just hold on—"

"Maybe some other time." Draco said in a final tone. He started walking and looked back. "Shall we?"

Though annoyed, Dana smiled and nodded. With that, they stepped out of the Entrance Hall and began their afternoon stroll.

****

"Hermione!" Draco called, pacing a bit faster. He ran to where she was and left Dana behind.

Hermione looked up from her book and glanced at him. "Draco," she said, grinning. "This is a surprise! Where's—"

At that moment, Dana arrived, breathless. "Why'd—you—leave—me?" she choked, fanning herself with her hand. "Why—were—you—in—such—a hurry—anyway?"

Draco glanced at Hermione and saw that her smile was gone and was replaced with a frown. He turned to Dana. "Sorry," he muttered, "but I just saw Her—"

Dana cut him off. "Hermione, isn't it?" She smiled pleasantly and extended her hand to Hermione. "I'm Dana."

Draco watched Hermione shake her hand stiffly and return a strained smile. He watched her as she shifted uncomfortably when Dana sat beside her.

"What are you doing anyway?" she asked, leaning over to Hermione.

"Homework." Hermione replied curtly, moving farther away.

"For what subject?"

"Ancient Runes."

"Is it hard? I've heard that the subject's quite difficult—"

"Dana, I think we'd better go." Draco pulled her up. "Hermione's got loads to do."

Hermione looked at him.

I'm sorry for disturbing you, he seemed to say, giving her an apologizing smile. She in turn smiled slightly, and nodded. So, the two bid her goodbye and left her in peace.

When they had lost sight of her, Dana spoke up. "She's very pretty, Draco," she said lightly, clinging on to Draco's arm. "She really is."

Yes, she is, he thought. He stopped abruptly. Where did that thought come from?

"Anything wrong?" Dana asked.

Draco gazed at her and was instantly reminded of Hermione. "Er, no." he replied, shaking his head. "Nothing's wrong."

Dana raised her eyebrow and shrugged. "Anyway, I was just saying that she should have more fun," she continued as they began walking once again. "She's too bookish and studious and all—I mean—"

However, Draco wasn't listening anymore. His mind was already raided with thoughts of Hermione. He glanced at Dana and once again, Hermione's image came into view. Why are you thinking of her, Draco Malfoy? A voice asked curiously. Why are you not thinking of Dana? And Draco could not find an answer.

Why was he thinking of her all of a sudden? Here was his dream girl, walking beside him. However, he was thinking of Hermione. He punished himself mentally for doing so and concentrated on what Dana was saying.

"Do you like marmalade a lot? How about jam? I like—"

He rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. He knew that he was supposed to have fun with Dana because she was the girl he waited for. However, this was just plain wrong. Something wasn't right. And Draco felt it.

But Dana was his dream girl, right?

He had no doubt about it…

However, he couldn't help but think twice. He couldn't help but regret that it wasn't Hermione.

****

Hermione trodded up the stairs leading to her dormitory. It was a tiring day… a very tiring one, indeed. She had to finish all her projects, and she had to avoid Draco the whole day. It was very hard work, because he turned up everywhere she went. In the library, in the Great Hall, in her classes…

"I cannot do this forever!" she exclaimed loudly. She closed the door behind her and lay down on her bed. She buried her face in her hands and groaned. Why, oh why was this happening to her, of all people?

She sighed heavily and stood up. "Can't he just disappear?" she whined, taking the silver rose from her bed sidetable. She looked at it carefully, and sighed. Dana had appeared once again in her head and she felt instant anger. She gritted her teeth and cried out in frustration.

It hurt her whenever she saw Dana and Draco together. It was pure torture when she knew that it could never be her… it was painful and very hard to admit…

That she had fallen for the guy she knew she could never have.

Draco Malfoy.

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A/N: Yes… that was quite bad… not a well-written chapter, I must say! Eurgh! I didn't like it, but I hope you did! Even if this sucked, I hope you still review! I'm aiming high!! Hope you help me reach my goal! He he…