Hey everybody! I just couldn't wait to continue on this fic. I like it a lot!

Special thanks to my TWO reviewers- *Combat Babe* and *burgudyred*. You guys are wonderful- thanks for the compliments!

Also, I made a mistake in the first one. This takes place in their 7th year, not their 6th.

I'm having trouble with the punctuation. It isn't showing up like how I typed it. So please just bear with me.

One last thing- the asterisks (**) here mean that they are in italics. On with the fic!

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Draco POV

I can't believe I just thought that. But it was true. What *really* was wrong with her? I mean, yes, she was a muggle born, but what was really wrong with that? Father was always going on about how important it was, and I always believed him. That is, until I met Hermione.

She had ALWAYS been better than me in school. It made me so jealous that I ended up teasing her. But now I realized it. She was smart, yes, and beautiful. She was also brave. The old coot of a Headmaster was always going on about how wonderful the "Golden Trio" was. You could find most of those traits in only a few girls. But I *knew* I couldn't have her- Father wouldn't allow it. So it was true. It made me want to have her. Everyone knows that Malfoys get what they want. And I'd get her.

Hermione POV

It was strange. He was looking at me like he was....well, *interested* in me. That was odd. Why would he like me? He was ALWAYS insulting me. Plus, I wasn't all that pretty. Compared to others, like Parvati and Lavender, I was plain. Why would he choose me?

I shook my head. God, I must have low self esteem to think of myself like that. And I shouldn't suddenly have a crush- no, an *infatuation* with Draco because he looked cute. Well, I shouldn't. He's awfully mean. His heart's made of stone.

"What Draco? Like what you see?" I asked coolly. Oh, God. Did I *really* just say that? That was so unlike me. I felt my face burning.

He seemed to snap back to reality, scowled, and said, "No one in their right mind could ever like a Mudblood like you." I was shocked. I thought that maybe, just *maybe*, he might be a bit more mature this year. Apparently not.

Draco POV

If she was going to have to start liking me, why in the name of the Queen's knickers did I say that? Am I really *that* daft? I was going to apologize, but Potter and Weasley leaped to their feet, looking murderous. I wanted nothing more than to sock them both, but if I decided against it.

"Get out," Potter growled. His hands were in fists. Weasley was shaking. Talk about protective best friends, eh?

"I would like nothing better, Potter, but I came to retrieve Hermi- I mean Granger. She has to go to the Head compartment at the front of the train," I explained while inspecting my nails. For the second time today, I made a huge mistake. Why did I almost call her Hermione? They would know something was going on- I have *always* called her Granger. Or Mudblood. Either one really. Before, they both fit. (A/N Homestar lives! Woo hoo! [I'm not crazy, lol, it's from a website- check it out- www.homestarrunner.com ] )

Hermione POV

Oh, no. Dear Lord, no. I did not want to go *anywhere* with that arrogant git. Was he Head Boy? If he was, I would strangle myself. I'm not kidding.

Also, why did he almost call me Hermione? He has *always* called me Granger or Mudblood. I doubted Harry and Ron noticed, though. They looked so mad. Goodness, I know he was mean, but they were seething. Talk about protective best friends, eh?

"Hermione- don't go with him. He's probably just lying," Ron warned.

"Yeah, wait for Professor McGonagall to come get you," Harry suggested. I rolled my eyes. She didn't even take the train to Hogwarts.

"I was *told* to come retrieve her. you don't have to blow a gasket, Weasley," Draco said. He looked a bit bored, to tell you the truth.

I saw Harry reach for his wand. I didn't want to cause any trouble on my first day as Head Girl, so I got up.

"Hermione! What are you doing?" Ron exclaimed. I sighed and glanced at my watch.

"I bet he's telling the truth, Ron. Don't worry," I said. I started to walk out, but leaned down and whispered in Harry's ear, "I'm the smartest witch in our year. If he tries to do anything to me, I'll just hex him!" He laughed, and I made my way out.

Little did I know what was going to happen.

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3 NewSecretRose