OK I'm sorry I missed a day, but now I think it will take me a bit longer to update - partly because I now have a beta-reader (HUGS sierra!), and partly because of school and music, etc. Anyhow, here's Chapter 6! The disclaimer still applies - don't own Draco, don't own a car - you know the deal. Enjoy!
Chapter 6 - What's Happening to Me?
"No way!" Hermione crossed her arms and turned her head away.

"Hermione, PLEASE!" Ron pleaded. "It's not such a bad thing!"

Hermione whipped her head back and stared furiously into the hopeful eyes of the redhead. She clenched her fists at her sides. "Did you HEAR what he just asked me to do, Ron? Were you listening?! Sweet Merlin - it's madness! I wouldn't get past the curtain!"

"Hermione," Harry said consolingly, "You know I wouldn't ask you to do anything that I would not be willing to do for you - or Ron," he added, eyeing his best mate. "Please, Hermione!"

"Harry Potter! Listen to yourself! It would be so obvious - I can't just sneak into Malfoy's room and take his seeking gloves! Someone would definitely see me anyway-"

"I'll lend you my cloak-"

She paused, but it didn't take long for her to find something else wrong with the plan. "And how are you so sure that it's in his gloves? It could be anywhere else-"

"Where else WOULD it be? Come ON, Hermione - you know I'm right," Harry retorted.

She sighed and looked at the two confident faces before her.

*If I don't do this - who will?*

She marched out of the Gryffindor Common Room with purpose.

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

Hermione knew that she should not act hastily. Harry's plan would involve much more than pure "sneaking" ability - she would have to calculate her moves exactly and time them perfectly.

*Finally, I can do what I do best - study.*

She headed to her familiar corner in the library and ran her fingers over the dusty bindings of Potions reference books.

"Antidotes..antidotes..THERE we go," she muttered, pulling out a thick novel and brushing off the cover with the back of her hand. She smacked her head with her palm as she glanced at the massive size of the index.

*This is going to take forever! I only have until tomorrow morning.. *

Maybe studying wasn't the best way to go this time. She combed her fingers through her hair, exasperated - Hermione Granger had NEVER been pressed for time! She was furious at Harry for involving her in his scheme, furious at Malfoy for being so incredibly EVIL, but most of all - furious at herself for agreeing to Harry's plan in the first place. Not even the library could help her now, she realized. It was time to get tricky.

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

"...and so you see, Professor, I need to see Draco Malfoy's schedule."

Hermione tensed up and hoped her devotion to "prefect duties for Gryffindor" would be a satisfactory excuse for Professor Dumbledore. She nervously glanced up and noted a twinkle in his eye.

"Good luck with your duties, Miss Granger," he smiled amusedly, handing her a rolled up piece of parchment.

Hermione nodded her thanks and rushed out of the headmaster's office. Upon reaching the corridor in front of the Great Hall, she finally exhaled - not having realized that she was holding her breath.

*Lying is exhausting - I have no idea how Malfoy does this..stupid ferret! This is all because of him! I'm sure Dumbledore knows I lied! He'll never trust me again! How could I be so stupid..I feel so guilty....*

Hermione pressed her back against the wall, closed her eyes, and slid down with her head in her hands, consumed by her shame. The burden on her shoulders seemed to get heavier every minute.

*Harry's relying on me; Ron's relying on me; the whole Gryffindor Quidditch team is relying on me...what in Merlin's name am I going to do?*

Hermione was suddenly hit hard with an awareness of her hatred for deceit. Within the past few weeks, she had embodied everything that she despised in others - everything that was so absolutely......Malfoy.

*Spying, lying, sneaking around - those are things HE would do. What's happening to me?*

She knew, however, that no matter how much she lost respect for herself, she was in too far to back out now. She stood up resolutely and blinked away a few frustrated tears.

*This is it. Then I'm done - I swear it.*
*******************************************************
Sooo..what did you guys think? Good? Bad? Horrible? Wanna strangle me? Let me know! Candy Dracos for all reviewers....heh heh - YUMMY!

Cinnamon: I put in the major part about Hermione questioning her ethics - just for you! I hope this helps the OOC-ness! About the curtain - I figured that they wouldn't be so open and sharing as to have the SAME bathroom, so I figured there had to be some sort of division. Also, it COULD have symbolic meaning (like the "enemy's lines".*hint hint* hee hee)...but you're right, it probably is a bit of a stretch... By the way, ton anglais est mieux que mon francais, alors, tu ne devrais pas etre desolee! Tu ecrites tres bien! Merci beaucoup encore....mille fois!

Dreaming One: Thanks for letting me know - I tried to space it out a bit more and I hope it worked! Frustrating formatting..hee hee. Thanks again for your consistent reviewing !

KEL-71E: Glad you like it! Thanks for reviewing!

Kasumi Izukawa: Thank you so much for your compliment! I hope you liked this chapter, too!

Cindy Lea: Thanks, *pat pat*...hee hee. I wanted to warn you in advance, however, that sometimes my little Draco muse on my shoulder isn't very helpful - he sleeps a lot-, so sometimes it may take longer to update, but I appreciate your encouragement!

Sierradogbaby: heh heh....but that's why we LOVE Malfoy, ain't it? *smirk*

Max: Don't worry, plenty of those to come!

CH127: Hey gurl! Sorry about the cliffy - I'm so evil! Glad you liked my Latin....*grins*

Devin-Jaime: Sorry to leave you with the cliffhanger! I'm glad you like it though - I'm still open to any suggestions you have, and I hope this chapter was up fast enough (I know cliffhangers can be a real pain, but I couldn't help myself....hee hee).
Till next time! XOXO....Kate