A/N: Here it is: Chapter Two. Sorry Chapter One was so short, it's hard to be very descriptive when first getting into the story. The plot will develop a bit more, and hopefully you'll begin to see where this is headed. Oh, and I'm always open to suggestions, so if you want something to happen later in the story either post a rating, or email me your idea and I'll see if I can work it in.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but I *do* own this yummy cookie... yum... cookie...

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Regaining his composure by the second, Draco straightened up to his full height, and resting one hand on his lean hip with a smug grin. She may be Head Girl, but was surely no match for the wits and tongue of the uncrowned prince of Slytherin. Running his free through his hair, he contemplated the short but vehement girl before answering her question.

"What? Can't a rule-abiding student of this school take an innocent stroll in the dead of night?" His voice held some amusement, but it was quite obvious to see he was hiding something. Even *Ron* would be able to see that.

She held his gaze for a moment more, eyes narrowed scrutinizingly. "Considering your record of school... offenses, I'd say not. 10 points from Slytherin and detention tomorrow night." She gave a smile about as equally smug as his, showing him she was milking her position for all it was worth. Wasn't payback pleasant?

Crossing her arms over her chest, she dared him to argue with her decision. "I suppose thats all Mr. Malfoy, now will you be a *good* lad and scurry off to whatever hole you crawled out of, or shall I have to escort you back to your dorm myself?" Her voice held an icy chill that even he was shaken by.

It was amazing how one bushy-haired eleven year old girl could turn out to be a disagreeable, pretty seventeen year old girl. It baffled him to no end where so much confidence came from, because she certainly had none whatsoever every time Snape turned his sneer on her. Raising one milky blonde brow, he regarded her with interest before he gave a curt nod of his head and a soft chuckle to show her he wasn't ruffled in the least.

"I can't trust myself these days, I'm sure you'll have to stay with me the whole night through to make sure I don't get into any... mischief." It was a dare, and she was sure of it. The instant those words dropped off the end of that smooth-talking tongue of his she had known he wouldn't relent easily. Tilting her head slightly to the side, she gave in to his challenge.

"Oh, I don't think that will be necessary Malfoy, I know a good Leg-Locker curse that will work nicely enough for that."

Proceeding down the hall towards the Slytherin rooms, she beckoned him to follow her with a curved finger. With a stumped shrug, he obliged, and quickened his step to catch up with her.

No, this certainly wasn't the shy, docile Hermione Granger he had grown to love tormenting, this confident young woman had just had the last word on none less than Draco Malfoy. Even Ron hadn't lived up to that dream yet...

He couldn't help but notice how well the light robe clung to her hips, and smiled softly to himself as he admired her matured form, in more ways than one. It was pleasing the way her rear swung slightly side-to-side with each step, yet it wasn't exaggerated, like some others he could name, and yet appealing all the same.

It was all too soon for his liking when they came to the portrait of a thin, reedy man that slightly resembled their Potions teacher, which marked the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room. He was outwardly displeased when he muttered the password (Drangonscales), and glared a the portrait swung open on it's hinge with a creak. With a flourish of his hand, and lopsided smirk, he bid her entrance before him.

"Ladies first. You are a lady, are you not? But I don't suppose *mudbloods* count so..." He gave her a particularly nasty sneer before stepping through before she had a chance too. Hermiones chin shot up at the derogatory insult, eyes narrowed in disgust, fighting down the urge to smack right on his pompous nose.

"If that is all you need, Malfoy, I'll be on my way." Turning sharply on her heel, she hastened away, but unfortunately not fast enough to miss his last snide remark. "Yes, I do suppose you man-slaves have need of you." She was relieved as she heard the portrait swing shut behind her, glad he couldn't see the tears gathering in the corners on her eyes.

- - - -

She slept easier after that incident, and was but delighted when the sun rose to meet her in the dawn of the day. Groaning groggily, the scenes from last nights' escapades replayed in her mind as she quickly dressed into her school robes. Malfoys' cruel remarks, only boiled her blood further, upping her resolve to give him what he deserved; a split lip, and about an eternity of detentions.

With an inward smile, she ran a comb through her hair, which now shone a beautiful chestnut, she considered it one of her best features since she learned how to tame the once-bushy locks.

Slipping on her shoes, she grabbed her Transfiguration books, and nearly flew out the door, hastening down the numerous staircases to breakfast.

She arrived panting a heaving, but thankfully not late. Spotting an open seat nearby Harry and Ron, she walked toward it with a smile, but it quickly faded when Lavender rushed up and occupied it before Hermione had a chance to. Harry laughed at some private joke Ron was sharing with him before looking up and raising a hand in greeting to his friend.

"'Lo Hermione." Ron gave her a nod before turning the conversation back to himself, chewing on a waffle all-the-while. Frowning slightly, she searched for an empty space at the Gryffindor table, but was not pleased to see that the only available space was beside Colin Creevy, Harry's number-one fan, and his brother, Dennis.

The younger boys were only too happy to make room for the Head Girl, and immediately began talking synanimously, not even stopping for a moment to take a breath. Hermione marveled vaguely at their breath capacity before tuning them out and focusing on a partiualry tasty pancake.

It was had to come second, she knew the feeling of being left out well. Ever since Harry and Ron had realized girls were not the bane of their existence, and that kissing was not poisonous, their attention towards Hermione seemed to deplete. It was as if she ceased to matter, and their was only room left in their days for a pretty face and Quidditch.

With a bitter disposition, she finished her meal. Though if queried about it, she couldn't have said what she ate, or what it tasted like, except to say it felt heavy in the pit pf her stomach.

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Transfiguration passed without incident, consequently enough. And the whole class was genuinley surprised when the famed Hermione Granger did not raise her hand, not once.

Her two 'friends' just happened to realize she still happened to be breathing right after class.

"Oi! 'Mione." She turned around at the sound of Rons voice, finding the tallish redhead and the Boy-Who-Lived looking the tinyest bit flusted at her silence all hour. "Are you okay?"

"Fine and dandy as ever." It had come out a bit too snappily, but was nothing less then they deserved. The two boys turned to each other a shrugged at her annoyance.

- - - -

She lost focus in Potions at about the same time she notcied a tiny mole on the side of Draco Malfoys neck. Not that she had been staring, of course. At least not that she would admit.

"Miss Granger?" Severus Snapes' harsh tone brought her back to reality in a snap.

"Huh? Oh, what?"

"Dozing off in class, Granger? 5 points from Gryffindor and detention for you." She groaned at her own misfortune, and spent the rest of the class thinking up rather gruesome death for her least favorite proffessor.

"What on earth is wrong with you today?" Harry's concerned voice ruptured a particularly nasty daydream.

"Absolutely nothing at all, except the fact I have detention with *Snape*!" She wondered what it would be, cleaning cauldrons, counting lizard tongues? It was then that she remembered this was the day she had given Draco Malfoy detention, and it was with *him* that she would serve it. Talk about bad luck and irony.

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Hope you liked it. I'm surprised I got this chapter up so quick after the first one. I'd really appreciate some input so please post a rating if yo have the time!

Next: ... an *interesting* detention... Malfoy's NICE?...