A/N: Sorry if this chappie took so long… anyways, I don't own any of the characters, just the plot…

Here it goes…

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September 18

I watched her as she checked my homework. She was so pretty when she concentrated. I stared at her. I hope she didn't notice. She's so beautiful, and kind, and caring. She's also very close to me. Closer than you think actually. She's also loved by my best friend. Well, she is my other best friend. I don't know what happened or when, but I have fallen for my best friend, Hermione Granger.

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I just stared at the journal in my hands. Okay, I've read enough. I sighed and closed the book, placing it on the table beside my bed. This definitely changes everything. If only I didn't read Harry's journal. What's even worse is that Ron likes me too! It's already hard enough with Draco and Harry…

I lay there on my bed, pondering what else to do with my life. Then I got up and went to my vanity table. I stared at the girl looking back at me. She really isn't that attractive, is she? I peered closer. My nose is too small. My eyes are too big. My lips are too pink. My hair is too unruly. What do they see in me? Plus, I'm a bossy, know-it-all muggleborn, right? I sighed and closed my eyes, my hands cradling my head as my elbows rested on the vanity table.

Then I felt something brush against my cheek. I opened my eyes to see Draco's fingers caressing my cheek. "Hey, what are you doing here?" I asked softly.

"Nothing, just watching you." I looked at him and smiled. He was so cute with his damp hair and innocent expression. I stood up and looked at the clock. "I guess we just missed dinner." I told him. At least I didn't have to see Harry or Ron.

"Yeah, I guess your right." Draco said. "I'm going to the Gryffindor common room to talk to Ginny, ok?" I said. "Alright, I guess. be back before 11!" Draco told me as I left through the portrait. I laughed. "Yes, sir!"

************

I walked down the corridor. I wish I at least brought a candle. It was dark and gloomy, and I was getting scared. I closed my eyes, trying not to imagine whatever could pop out of nowhere and grab me and eat me and… Okay, I'm scaring myself. But it's dark…

Suddenly something did grab me from behind. They put their hand over my mouth, stopping me from screaming. I looked back and saw Harry's grinning face. My heart skipped a beat as I looked into those emerald green eyes. "Where were you? You didn't come down for dinner." Harry said.

"Oh, I was up in my room. I was studying for Arithmancy." I know, I lied. But what should I tell him? 'Oh, I was up in my room and Draco expressed his love for me and we snogged for quite some time'? No thanks. "Where's Ron?" I asked, curious as to why Harry was alone.

"Miss me, Mione?" Ron came out of the shadows behind Harry. He was smiling. "I knew it, Mione misses me. Aww, how sweet of you, you shouldn't have." Ron laughed. I laughed and playfully slapped his shoulder. "Gee, I wasn't trying to make it that obvious." I said.

"I was thinking of visiting the common room. Does anyone miss me?" I asked jokingly. "No, we actually had a party the first night you were gone from the place. It was a blast." Harry said calmly. It was Harry's turn to get smacked around. We're just friends, right? It's easier to say it than to convince myself that it's true, after what I've read.

We reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and Harry said the password. We stepped in, then I was greeted by a lot of old friends. "Mione!" Ginny ran toward me and hugged me oh so tight. "Ginny—..." I gasped. "Yes Mione?" Ginny asked. "Air…" I pleaded. "Oh, sorry." She let go before continuing, "You know, it's been so long since you visited us. I was thinking you forgot all about Gryffindor." "Ginny, I am one of you. Why would I forget about my second family?" I smiled at her.

After a while there, Ron called me over. "Yes Ron?" I asked as I approached him. "I need to show you something." Ron held up a book. We went up by the stairs where it was a little private. "Here, open it to the page with the bookmark. I got the book from Ron and did what he said. When I read the few words written on it, I looked at Ron for confirmation. Then I looked back at the book and reread it, hoping I was wrong. I wish it was wrong. Please tell me it's wrong. I wish I didn't read it.

I got up from where I sat on the stairs and said to Ron, "I have to go. Tell them I said good-bye."

I left through the portrait connecting the Gryffindor common room to the Head's common room. Draco was there by the fire. I tried to enter as quietly as I could, but Draco still herd me. "It's past 11, Hermione." I sighed as I approached him and sat down beside him. "I'm sorry." I muttered. I closed my eyes and leaned on his chest. He didn't move. I know it's bad. We aren't even an item and I'm doing this. I could be leading him on or something. I mean, I don't know what I really feel for him.

Once my head touched his shoulder I suddenly felt sleepy. I felt like I couldn't move a muscle. I just lay there, leaning on Draco's chest with his arm draped around me as we sat in from of the fire. It was romantic, but we weren't us. I thought about Draco's change of emotions, and it definitely was for the better. I liked it when Draco was nice. Soon I found myself drifting off to sleep in Draco's arms and dreaming of Draco himself.

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I woke up in my bed the next day. Sunday. I smiled. I'll remember to thank Draco later. I yawned and stretched when I saw an owl perched by my window. I sleepily shuffled my way in that direction to get the letter from the owl. After giving it a treat, the owl left and I turned my attention to the letter in my hands. I opened it and read it slowly.

Mione,

I'm sorry about what I showed you last night in that book. But it's true Mione. Please believe me. Every word you read in there is true. I'm so sorry if you took it wrong, I'm sorry.

Ron

I folded the letter and placed it on my desk and frowned. Yeah, now I remember what was written in that book. Why did he have to tell me that? That wasn't very… I can't find the right word to say it. Polite? Right? It was er… surprising? I can't say it was rude. I don't know what to think about what Ron said.

I shook my head to get it out of my head for at least a few moments so I could freshen up in peace. Still a bit groggy I moved past the common room to find Draco sitting on the couch, reading.

"Morning, sleepy head. How was your sleep?" Draco looked up from his book and gave me a small smile. I smiled back. "Oh, fine. Thank you for tucking me in last night."

"Your welcome. But I think I pulled a couple of muscles trying to get you off the couch. Plus I strained some on my legs getting you up the stairs. I think you ought to lose some pounds, Hermione!" he grinned.

"Humph!" I smiled and turned to the bathroom.

************

I felt refreshed after my bath. I guess I took quite some time in there. I stepped out and saw Draco was waiting for me in the common room.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked him.

"Yeah. Anything." Draco replied.

"Are you courting me?" I could barely get the question out. I looked at my feet. I felt so nervous, feeling so stupid asking that question.

Draco smiled. "Only if you'll let me." His answer was slow and sure. I eased up and looked up at his smiling face. He looked like such an angel.

"Okay, I will." I answered him. His smile grew and he reached his hand out to me. I linked my arm with his and we headed out for the Great Hall.

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The trip was short and quick. As soon as we stepped out the portrait Draco let go of my hand. For a moment I felt offended. Now that he was courting me he was ashamed of me he won't even hold my hand, is that it? Then I heard someone call me. I turned to see Harry and Ron. Oh.

I smiled at Harry and hugged him. "Hi guys," I said. I couldn't look Ron in the eye yet, after what I read. Both of them were looking behind me. At Draco. Oh. "Um, Draco was just walking me to the Great Hall. You coming?" I asked them. Once those last words came out, I wished I didn't say them at all. Draco was scowling while Harry and Ron were glaring back at him. I sighed.

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Once we got to the Gryffindor Table, Harry and Ron bombarded me with questions.

"What was that about?"

"What's wrong with Malfoy? And with you?"

"Have you one daft?

"Shut up." I said quietly. What was wrong with them? It's just Draco.

************

Breakfast passed quietly and I walked back to the common room to get my stuff. I reached the portrait when I heard someone follow me. I stopped and turned around to find Ron behind me.

"Hey."

"Hey, Mione. I'm sorry bout breakfast and bout last night. I'm real sorry…"

"It's ok…" I mumbled. I looked around to see if anyone was passing by then I looked at my watch.

"Is this gonna take any longer?" I asked. I wish I hadn't said that. Ron looked like something ran him over and threw manure in its wake.

"Um, no… can I walk you to class then?" Ron said slowly.

"Um… I guess you could… but I was going to use the short cut through our dorm." I said.

"Oh, ok…" Ron looked really put out.

"I guess I'm gonna get my stuff now." I said the password to the girl in the painting and stepped in.

"Hermione, wait!"

I looked back and Ron did it.

************

Shit. I stayed in the bathroom. I didn't bother going to class. I felt bad. I don't want to see anybody right now. I took a shower to try and forget what happened.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Damn. Why?

The warm water felt good. Too good. I turned the water to cold. I yelped at the sudden change of temperature of the water. Once I got used to it, I sighed. I just stayed there, under the running water of the shower. I didn't use the tub, that's for people with good moods. I'm not one of them at the moment.

Once I started to prune, I got out of the shower and dried myself up. Wrapping myself in my towel, I picked up my razor. Damn Ron, I got lots of problems. There's Draco, there's Harry, there's Ron, there's my studies (I feel like I'm slipping in my grades), there's the Ball. Damn! The Ball… I haven't even planned that yet, and it's in 3 weeks!

I frowned and raised my leg on a stool. Holding the razor, I ran it over my leg. Damn Ron, why?

Damn, damn, damn… damn!

Ouch. I watched blood trickle down my leg.

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A/N: Ei, sorry if it took so long for me to update! Sorry guys… hope you liked this chappie… don't worry, I'll update soon…! If I get lots more reviews… R&R people! Mwah! Love ya'll!