Summary: Harry Potter took the only thing Draco Malfoy asked him for. Now, Draco's taking it back.

Disclaimer: All I own is the plot.

A/N: For the record... this will NOT be a Draco/Hermione fic. It's mainly from Draco's point of view though.

Chapter 2: A Little Friendly Competition...Never Hurt Anyone

"I should've known!" yelled Harry. "Damn Malfoy! Damn him!"

"Harry, take it easy mate." said Ron. "Malfoy won't hurt her. He- he wants you." gulped Ron.

"That's not all he wants," said Harry darkly.

"What?" said Ron.

"If something happens to me, Hermione's still not safe."

* * * * * * * * *

"You think you're a big man, huh Potter?" asked Draco, as he fell into step with Harry.

"Shove it Malfoy." said Harry speeding up.

"We get along quite well." sneered Draco. Harry stopped. "She's been 'tutoring' me, and I actually like her. Don't take that away." Draco added seriously.

"You're mental." said Harry

.
"Am I?" asked Draco. "Go on, try me. I dare you to call me a ferret in front of her and see what she does."

In a swift movement, Harry had Draco slammed up against a wall and was pushing into him. "Stay away from her." snarled Harry. "If you so much as touch her, so help me-"

"What Potter? Afraid of competition?"

"Never."

"Good."

"You're sick do you know that? You turn everything into some stupid contest for yourself. Didn't you hate her in the first place?" whispered Harry. "She'll never forget that. Ever."

"The past is the past," said Draco smoothly. "People change." Harry gave him a hard shove into the wall before releasing him.

"Not people like you. You may have apologized for what you've said and done, but Hermione's smart. She would never go for a prat like you."

"Don't be so sure. She calls me Draco now."

"It's called common courtesy." snarled Harry.

"Oh yeah?" laughed Draco. "What do you call a backrub? You know, I was wrong about Hermione. She's a witch through and through, right down to her magic little fingers."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Hermione!" Harry yelled as he rushed into the library.

"Shh." Madame Pince said as quietly as she could.

"Hermione!" Harry called again.

She appeared behind a shelf cradling at least six shoebox sized books. "Hey!" she said breathlessly. "A little help."

"Oh!" Harry ran to her side and with great ease carried the books to a nearby table.

"Thanks." said Hermione. "You called?"

"Harry was at a total loss for words. Recently all he could do around Hermione was stare at her discreetly and stumble over his words."

"Uh-I-we-I-Malfoy!"

"Malfoy? What about him?" asked Hermione. Harry took a deep breath then looked at her. It felt like a bubble had bursted in his brain and he blurted...

"I like you." Harry said. Hermione looked at him.

"I like you too Harry." She said laughing.

"No, Hermione," said Harry grabbing her hands. "I'm in like with you." And while she was at a loss for words, Harry kissed her.

* * * * * * * *

"Ron, he just wants me out of the picture so he can-if something happens to me, promise you'll be there for her." said Harry.

"Harry you're-"

"Ron just promise me. No matter what happens..."

"I promise." Said Ron.

A/N: RRR!