Chapter 2:

After about an hour or so, all of the other students began to arrive. They all congratulated Ron on his effective "beating up of that Malfoy son of a bitch!" Ron beamed at all of the compliments he was getting and soon enough, the tale had turned to how he had heroically saved the day! Hermione looked away annoyed and Harry just remained silent. Finally, Hermione couldn't stand it any longer and yelled at Ron, "Oh my goodness, Ron! Do you have to make such a BIG DEAL out of this?" Ron looked stunned at Hermione's outrageous burst. He stammered, "Uhhhh…." But, before he could continue, Hermione pressed on, "Honestly! It's great that you got your revenge and all, but don't you think that hurting someone that badly is NOT something worth bragging about?! I mean he's with Madame Pompfrey! Think how badly you must have hurt him?"

Ron was shocked at her statements, but didn't waste any time in arguing back! "Well, I hope you're pleased with yourself Hermione. Thanks a lot for being one of my best friends!" he replied in a voice dripping with sarcasm. "Why, I think that you actually LIKE Malfoy!"

Hermione blushed at the last statement. But, Ron continued to embarrass her, "In any case, consider you and I ex-friends!"

Hermione's eyes dilated that Ron could even think such a thing over a silly altercation. She could already feel tears welling in her eyes and just stormed out of the Great Hall without a backward glance. Harry immediately started to follow her when someone grabbed the back of his arm. It was none other than Ron. "Oh come on Harry! You don't think that she was right, do you? I mean I just beat up your archenemy. Don't tell me that you're going to be a wimp and run after her!"

Harry was trapped. Ron had been his best friend ever since his first year, but he was truly concerned about Hermione. He decided not to risk his friendship. "Uhh…well…I guess…maybe I'll talk to her after dinner."

Ron smiled and they all waited in silence for the Sorting Ceremony to begin.

Outside, Hermione was crying and sobbing hysterically. She couldn't believe what had just happened. "Neither one of them came after me to console me!" she thought despairingly. She knew in her heart that what she had done was morally correct, but then why did she feel so miserable?

She heard footsteps approaching her and hastily tried to dry her tears, but that certain someone was too quick for her. A concerned voice asked, "Granger, you al'rite? You look a little tired!" Hermione whipped her head around to find a "unbruised" Draco questioning her.

"Well yes Malfoy. I'm just a little tired! That's why I'm out here crying hopelessly!" she answered getting annoyed. She certainly did not need pity right now, especially Malfoy's pity.

"Hey I'm sorry! I was just concerned that's all! But, you know what I can see that your friends, Potter and Weasley are much better at this. So, I'll just leave it to them!"

Hermione realized that he truly was worried about her.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry Draco! I'm just having a bad day, that's all!"

"Did you just call me Draco?" Malfoy asked suspiciously.

"Oh! Well, I guess I just did! Why, did I offend you in any way?" Hermione asked.

"No…no…it's fine!" Draco answered. He thought for a minute about something and made up his mind. "Hermione, come with me. I'm going to take you to a special place!"

"What? Why? Draco, I hope you're not thinking, what I think you're thinking!" Hermione said incredulously.

Draco smirked and merely said, "No Granger! Not today, I'm tired from today's occurrences as well."

Hermione understood what he meant and suddenly said, "STOP flirting with me, Draco!"

Draco raised his eyebrows and said, "I will, if you will!"

Hermione scoffed and dropped the argument. "So, where are we going anyway?"

"You'll see!" Draco remarked with a small twinkle in his eye. They climbed many winding staircases and crossed a variety of hallways until Draco finally stood still staring at an empty, stone wall.

"What are we doing here?" Hermione asked exasperatedly.

Draco didn't pay any attention to her and said, "Gryffindorus, Slytherinus, Prefectus Ouvertus!" Quite suddenly, the stone wall split open to reveal a spacious, magnificently decorated chamber. Hermione walked in, trying to absorb everything she was seeing. There were extraordinary paintings hanging on the velvet, rich walls. She saw a comfortable cozy couch along with two smoothly furnished study tables. She noticed various lampshades, all magically lit to make the room appear quite beautiful. She observed two passages on the opposite side of the room. She went to the one on her right, which was lavishly ornamented, with numerous odds and ends all scarlet and gold. She went into the other one to discover a similar room except adorned with green and silver. "Are these, the actual chambers of Godric Gryffdinor and Salazaar Slytherin?"

"Uh-huh!" Draco replied, looking quite pleased with himself.

"It's amazing! How do you know about this place? Who told you? I've only read about it in Hogwarts a History."

"Well, actually Dumbledore was supposed to tell you. He came down to visit me when I was in the infirmary. They renovated this chamber over vacation. He said that we get to have these since we're Prefects and we'll most likely have them next year too. That is, if we're Head Boy and Head Girl. Since the current Head Boy and Head Girl are in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, they get the other chamber. But, he didn't tell me the whereabouts of that room."

Hermione looked delighted. She had completely forgotten that she was a Prefect.

She smiled at him and merely said, "Draco, it's perfect!"

'So are you!" he replied.

A/n:

I know it sounds like a Draco/Hermione story right now…but datz just part of the plot…I said that this was a H/H story…so just keep reading 2 find out!

Pppppppleeeeeeaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzzz r/r: