Oops, I believe I've forgotten something. Here it is (if someone really needs it) DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books bla.bla. bla.No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended (tut tut tut).

Chapter 4. The War Hermione woke up with a terrible headache. Her heart was clenching. She was distressed because of Malfoy, and really afraid of facing him. Knowing him quite well, she believed that he wouldn't let it be. And he didn't disappointed her. With her heart sinking, she opened the door to the common room. Malfoy was there, and her first impulse was to hide in her room, but she overcame herself and made a step towards her enemy neighbour. He looked at her, holding his wand in front of him. - You forgot this, - said he with a visible effort. On the end of his wand dangled her bra. Hermione turned red immediately, and rushed forward to get it. - Yeah, take it, - said the boy, - shaking the bra off as if it was poisonous. She reached her hand in order to take it, but something stopped her. She took out her wand, and uttered "Aparecium", and immediately her nice bra burst into acid green flame, she barely managed to step back. "Clever girl!" muttered Malfoy. And then said aloud: - So much for the beginning! Have a nice day, - added he with an evil smile and left. Hermione flinched. She knew quite well that he meant no good.

Now Harry was busy with reconciliation between Ron and Hermione, which seemed to be a very hard task. In classes they didn't want to sit together, and it was Hermione who rejected to return peace. Harry was embarrassed. - Why, Hermione, why wouldn't you forgive him? - questioned he. - I just don't know. He is different, and I . I just cant look straight into his eyes. - tried to explain the girl. - But just understand - I cannot be with you both at once and it. - But you needn't. I've got my Head Girl's duties, and in this time you can play Quidditch or do whatever with Ron, and then we may meet. - But Ron. - put in Harry. - You mean he dislikes me. Well, I think if he is really your friend, he will understand. - Sure. but. I .You know I believed it could be as before. - Harry, It will never be like before. Never! - and she simply ran away. Harry thought that she had been very strange recently. "I should have asked her if she had some problems! Damn, I am insensitive!" He wanted to turn her back, but she already disappeared from his sight.

It was the night when the nightmares started again. Harry woke up with an immense pain in his scar. This time he couldn't remember what he was dreaming of, and it was strange. Sure he saw Voldemort, but he couldn't think of anything else. But a phrase stuck in his mind and stayed there like a splinter; "It works!" What works, who said it and what has it to do with him, he couldn't imagine. But it should be something very bad, and this worrisome thought banished from his head his anxiety about Hermione.

Meanwhile the girl left her room every time with greatest precaution, afraid of possibility to be burnt, stroke, frozen or just poured with some filth, just like it happened several times since that damned night. She was afraid to eat or to drink anything, since she found herself after breakfast in the hospital wing. Of course it was impossible to prove anything, and she had to speak to Dobby, who promised her to keep an eye on her food. Harry obviously had some troubles with Voldemort, but she only managed to help him with his homework, Ron didn't mind it (he had never been a brilliant student). In Gryffindor common room she felt safe, and she hated to go back to her room.

One day after Potions classes Snape called Hermione. She saw smirking Malfoy standing nearby and didn't want to go, but she couldn't refuse a teachers order. This morning she hadn't discovered anything bad in her room, clothes, food etc., so Malfoy apparently had found another way of hurting her. - Yes, Professor? - asked she unwillingly. - Mr. Malfoy confessed me as to his head teacher that he's got some difficulties in Muggle studies. He believes that you, as a muggle-born witch, would be able to help him in study of this rather difficult to pure- blood wizards subject. -Why didn't he ask himself then? - wondered Hermione. - He was afraid that you would neglect his request, but you certainly wouldn't neglect a teachers request, would you? - I think I haven't deserved a detention. - blurted she rashly. Snape cast a very strange look on her, a very no-good-promising look. - Refusing to help the one who needs it looks like acting hostility, doesn't it? - said Snape menacingly. Hermione had nothing else to do but to accept it.

In their common room Malfoy told her with a very nasty smile (she would be glad to smash this smirk away from his face, but it was impossible without being expelled): - Well, mudblood, I think I've found a nice way of making you useful for the wizarding society - you will do this damn Muggle studies homework for me, won't you? - I am supposed to help you, but not to do it for you! - said Hermione firmly. - How possibly can you help me otherwise if I don't understand a hell? - mocked he. - Here, you should write about television, and I'm going to practise Quidditch! - and with this he left. - Scummy git! - exclaimed Hermione. - You will regret it! She was really boiling over with rage. She was eager to revenge, and now it didn't matter to her how it all would end.

When Malfoy returned, looking happy but tired after a good training, she reached him the work, saying "I've done my best, but you know, television isn't my strong point!" - I don't ask about your strong and weak points, stupid mudblood, - said the boy and disappeared in his bedroom. Already in her bed, she almost regretted what she'd done, but found it impossible to tell him the truth. "It will serve him right!" - thought she and fell asleep. Still she was awaiting the day of the next Muggle studies like a criminal awaits the day of his capital punishment

After the next Muggle studies she came across Lavender in the corridor, who looked anxious. - Hermione , what have you done! Malfoy is looking for you everywhere! He is up to no good! - announced she. - Tell me what happened! - ordered Hermione. - Oh, it was actually a real treat to see Malfoy in those condition! But he is insane I suppose! - Tell me please what happened in the class! - begged Hermione with sinking heart. - Well, Professor was giving back our works, and gave them to everybody but Malfoy. Then he said that "Mr Malfoy" had again the worst work, just imagine, even worse then Crabbe and Goil! What a face Malfoy got! It's a pity you couldn't see it! And stammered 'Professor, there must be a mistake!' 'No mistake, Mr Malfoy, just have a look at this! I will take 10 points from Slytherin to make you study harder!' And then Malfoy became furious and told a lot of stuff, that it was you who'd done the work, that he didn't care about this fucking Muggle studies, that his father would come and get through with them all, and thereabouts. I reckon poor professor had never heard anything of the kind in his life, and he said that he wouldn't go to the headmaster, although he should, but would take another 50 points from Slytherin, and would talk to Snape, and would advise him writing to Malfoy's father. Malfoy looked just horrible, and muttered he'd kill you! Good (or maybe pity)enough the lesson was over, or he could have done some more follies. Oh, Herm, if I were you, I wouldn't risk to stay with him in the same room. - said Lavender in conclusion of her emphatic speech. - Don't worry, - said Hermione bravely then she felt, because her knees were actually trembling, - He won't dare hurt me! - And immediately wished to be sure of this. - Sorry, Herm, I hate to leave you alone, but I gotta go! - exclaimed Lavender and ran away. Hermione leaned on the cold stony wall, trying to muster up all her strength and courage. She was about to go, but an icy cold voice ordered; "Just stay where you are!" Malfoy indeed looked insane. His cheeks were unusual red, his hair disheveled and his eyes sparkling with fury. Hermione had better run, but she couldn't move a finger. - You fucking bitch! You let me down! How dare you! You stinker, you hussy! - hissed he.-Damned whore! I'll kill you! No, I better make you suffer as bad as I did! He pointed his wand at Hermione. The girl seemed to be paralyzed. "Cruc." - started he, but a sharp voice interrupted him. - What's going on here? - to Hermione's greatest relief it was McGonagall. Draco tried to put the wand out of McGonagall's sight. - No need to hide your wand, Mr. Malfoy, I've seen very clearly what you intended to do! - said she very stern. - 100 points from Slytherin for trying to injure the Head girl! Malfoy turned ashy. -- And I'm going to inform your father on this! - continued McGonagall. - Don't bother! Snape is already doing it! And besides, my father won't blame me! I'm sure he will praise me!- added he proudly. Professor gave him a sharp look, but it wasn't he whom she cared for at the moment. She did the right thing, because her tacit severity had the effect of a cold shower on Malfoy. He suddenly felt strange. Was it twinges of conscience? He'd never felt something like this before. - Here, Ms Granger, I beg you to take this - professor reached to Hermione a small bracelet. - Put it on, and it will inform me if you have some - she looked stern at Malfoy - well. troubles. - Thank you, Professor! - only managed to say the girl, trying not to burst into tears from greatest relief. - Come, I bring you to your room, and besides I have something to discuss with you, - and McGonagall took Hermione away from desperate Malfoy, who sank to the floor thinking "I've lost 160 points because of that girl, 160 points! Slytherins will kill me! But I don't care!" As a matter of fact he was grateful to McGonagall for preventing him from this attempt upon the girl. He was exhaust by his revenge, and ready to beg Hermione's pardon, not that he was able to admit it to anyone of course.