Chapter 2

"Quidditch sounds wonderful," said Harry, running up to Ron's room to get his Firebolt.

As he was coming back down, he saw Mrs. Weasley tending to Mr. Weasley.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked Mr. Weasley.

"Oh yes, I'm, fine. Just a nasty wound, that's all. Nothing that Molly can't fix. Right dear?"

Mrs. Weasley smiled broadly, "I've seen worse from Fred and George beating each other up. It's just terrible though. Who would want to hurt you? You haven't done anything to get on someone's bad side," she said, then her eyes grew wide, "Have you?"

"Oh no!" exclaimed Mr. Weasley, sitting up a little taller in his chair, "I try not to hold grudges, even against rotten, filthy, loathsome..."

"That's quite enough," Mrs. Weasley said quickly, "Ron looks like he's calling you, Harry. Better go."

"Alright, get better!" he told Mr. Weasley.

Out in the backyard Quidditch pitch, Quidditch was obviously not the only thing on Ron's mind.

"This is Malfoy's head!" he cried, picking up a watermelon and soaring into the air, then dropping it. It smashed into a hundred pieces. Ron roared with laughter. "Reparo!" he commanded, and the watermelon flew back into one piece. "Accio Watermelon!"

"RON! STOP THIS!" Harry yelled, catching the watermelon in mid-air, "Listen! I know you're angry, but chill out! You were right, it's Malfoy! Their relationship won't go past one day at school."

"You think?" asked Ron hopefully.

"Well, give or take a little. But if you tell her how you feel once the fling falls apart, she'll go running to you." Harry had no idea if he was right, but getting Ron back to his senses was the best idea for now.

The next few days went without a major breakdown. Mr. Weasley regained all his strength, and they all went to Diagon Alley.

As they were coming out of Flourish and Blotts, Harry saw Hermione out of the corner of his eye. He was about to yell her name when a certain blonde Slytherin joined her.

Careful not to distract Ron, he picked up "Transfiguration, Grade 6" and pretended to read it. He watched the pair, walking away from Ron. Hermione was talking to Malfoy with a huge grin on her face. He smiled back, and then delicately kissed her. Harry's heart sank. If Ron saw this, he would be devastated.

Harry turned to check Ron's location, but almost gave himself a heart attack when he saw Ron standing right next to him, staring in disbelief.

"Malfoy," he said, nodding forward. Nervously, Harry glanced to where the two lovers stood. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Malfoy standing there, alone. He was staring at Ron, who looked at Harry.

"At least Hermione's not with him," he said.

"Yeah..." Harry replied, feeling uneasy.

The week before school started went by in a blur. Harry tried to keep Ron's mind off Hermione. He knew that this year would be hard on his best friend.

September 3rd dawned clear and crisp Harry awoke with mixed emotions. He was going back to Hogwarts, his home, his favorite place in the whole world. But this Ron-Hermione-Malfoy fiasco was looming nearer and nearer with each passing moment.

"I'm going to do everything I can to get her," Ron told Harry at breakfast.

"I'll be there for you," he responded determinegly.

The Weasleys got Ron, Harry and Ginny to Platform 9 ¾ by 9:30. Ron didn't even say bye to his parents. He jumped onboard, searching frantically for Hermione.

"Well, bye then," Harry said to the Weasleys, "Thank you for everything."

Harry and Ginny climbed on, looking for an empty carriage. Ron flew by them, saying, "I'm going to wait in the prefect car!"

Ginny sighed, and turned into a vacant carriage. The problem was though, that it wasn't.

Hermione sat on Malfoy's knee, and he was stroking something in her hand.

"Oh sorry, Hermione," said Ginny quickly, leaving the car. Harry stood there, quite embarrassed.

"Harry," said Hermione dryly, "How was your summer?"

"Pleasant," he replied, "and yours?"

She looked into Malfoy's eyes, "Wonderful." Malfoy gave Harry an evil looking smile. "I guess we'll be seeing more of each other, won't we, Potty?"

Hermione giggled, "Potty! Oh Draco!"

Harry raised his eyebrows, "I guess so." Malfoy and Hermione stood up and walked out, but Malfoy whispered to Harry, "Tell Weasel to be prepared for a fun year." He smirked, then grabbed Hermione's hand and set off down the aisle.

"Can you believe it?" said fellow Gryffindor Dean Thomas, walking into the newly empty carriage, "Malfoy and Hermione! I never thought I'd see the day."

"Yeah, me either." Harry rubbed his chin, "Something weird is happening. He's changed her somehow."

"Let's hope he didn't make her stupid," Dead said with a smile, "She's the only reason I passed most of my O.W.L.s."

Harry's eyes grew wide, "O.W.L.s? I never got my scores!"

Dean didn't look worried, "They know the muggles don't like seeing you with mail, mate. Don't worry."

Harry nodded. At that moment, Seamus Finnigan, Neville Longbottom, and Ginny all entered the carriage. The train began moving shortly after.

The boys and girl talked about Hermione and Malfoy, but mostly about who their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would be.

"Maybe they could get Lupin back," asked Harry hopefully, referring to his favorite teacher.

"Nah," said Seamus, eating a chocolate frog, "I hope it's a girl, a hot girl." Everyone except for Ginny nodded in approval.

"Well I hope it's a qualified teacher," she said, "anyone better than Professor Umbridge."

"Yeah, but still," replied Dead, kicking his feet over his trunk. "I like 'em hot!" Now everyone started laughing and having a good time.

Suddenly the door opened and a very angry Hermione stepped in, "Keep it down!" she roared, "Your causing chaos!"

"Hermione!" said Neville, "We weren't being loud at all!"

"Yes you were! Now QUIET!" She put her finger to her lips.

"Listen, Hermione," said Harry, jumping to his feet, "Why don't you stay here with us? Tell us about prefect camp."

Hermione looked appalled. "No, I'd rather not, Draco's waiting. I'll tell Professor Snape if you keep up your act!" She left in a huff.

"You're right, Harry, she has changed," said Dean, looking amazed.

The door again slid open, and Ron stepped in. "Where'd she go?" he said breathlessly.

Harry pointed down the hall, "Ron, stay here! C'mon, hang out with us."

"Man, I wish I could, but this is true love on the line. I have to find her!"

Harry took him into the hall. "Dude, please, you're obsessed! If you calm down, you'll be okay!"

"But I love Hermione so much! I can't stop thinking about her," he looked sternly at Harry, "Just let me try on my own to get her. I won't be happy if I can't."

"Fine, but," he noticed Ron wasn't listening, "It seems like you're fighting a losing battle with this."

Soon enough the train rumbled into the station at Hogwarts. Harry realized that he was now very much alone, Hermione was joined at the hip with Malfoy, and Ron was obsessing over her.

He carried his trunk off the train and set it in a pile with others.

"HARRY! HARRY!" called a slightly dreamy voice.

"Hi, Luna," he said, facing Luna Lovegood, a girl in Ginny's year.
"Its so good to see you! Dad wanted to have you over for tea, but I guess you never got our owl.

"I guess not," said Harry, breathing a sigh of relief that he never got it.

"So, can you believe about Hermione and Malfoy?" she babbled on, Harry nodded throughout her conversation. The thing was, he couldn't believe it either. Sure, Hermione had a crush on Malfoy since their first year, but never in a thousand years would he have thought of Malfoy returning the affection. He had always though Hermione would either end up with himself or Ron, although Harry never had feelings for her.

Harry slowly looked around. Luna had walked away, and just ahead of him was Ron.

"Hey man, what's up? How was the ride?"

Ron turned to Harry with tears in his eyes, "It was more than I could handle. They were...they were all over each other. Hermione wouldn't look at me, and she treated him like a king. She did change. I dunno, she's like a robot now."

"You still like her, right?"

"I would die for her!"

"Good, because Malfoy is definitely doing something to her, and that's the motivation we need to get her back."

Ron smiled, and together that walked onto the carriage that led into Hogwarts.