((A.N. Hi everyone!! Thank you so much to my faithful reviewers Moon Burst, Apollonia2, and hinkypunk2!! I really appreciate you guys reviewing every chapter because it just makes me happy, when skies are gray!! Well, I think that this is the shortest chapter in the history of chapters on ff.net, but it was too long a chapter in first place so I chopped it in two! Please review when you're finished! *crosses fingers* . . . ))




Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except perhaps the plot. This was all J.K. Rowling's idea and I thank for the hours of fun she gave us.



She couldn't let him rape her. Hermione had to think of something.


"Draco," she said suddenly. He was so surprised that he looked up, startled that she had called him by his first name.


She stared him in the eye, although her voice shook when she spoke.


"I've always known that you were mean, Malfoy. Always known that you were cruel. But I thought you were human. I never thought – never thought – you'd turn out like your father."


Little did Hermione know the impact that the words would have on Draco when she uttered them. He looked at her, and suddenly his whole mask of a face seemed to shatter with emotion.; emotion that Draco had kept inside all his life.


In a flash he had let go of her and turned around so that she couldn't see his face. Hermione was, of course, right. He'd realized it the night before in the ballroom with Pansy. He didn't think Pansy deserved to be hurt, to be used, to be two-timed. He had honestly tried to convince himself that Hermione was different from Pansy, Hermione was a mudblood. Although Draco had his doubts, he had wanted to do what his father expected him to do with Hermione. He'd wanted his father's approval.


Now he was a whirlwind of shame, doubt, hatred, sadness, and anger. He turned around, wanting to say something, but the words wouldn't come.


Hermione watched the scene unfold with awe. Draco Malfoy was starting to cry in front of her eyes. She had never in a million years, arrogant young Malfoy to cry. In front of her, of all people! She couldn't help noticing how different his face looked with the characteristic smirk. It was fine boned and soft and smooth, not intimidating or rough. Hermione felt a new feeling well up in her. Pity? Was she really pitying Draco Malfoy, her worst enemy?


Draco was almost unaware of the tears trickling down his face. He willed himself to stop. I am crying in front of Hermione Granger, he realized slowly. She must think I am the biggest jerk on earth. Nearly rape her and then cry about my own problems.


Hermione finally looked up at him, her eyes full of sadness. "I'm sorry, Malfoy. I really am."


Draco's expression changed like lightning. He was suddenly angry, his face seething with rage.


"DO NOT PITY ME! I DON'T NEED SOME LOW LIFE MUDBLOOD FEELING SORRY FOR ME!?"


So, thought Hermione ruefully, this is what I get for reaching out a helping hand. This is what I get for letting my guard down against him. Losing her fragile temper altogether, she screamed, " YOU ARE JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER! SOME ARROGANT BASTARD WHO SHOOTS DOWN THE ONLY PERSON WHO'S EVER BEEN NICE TO HIM!"


At that point Hermione did not care what the consequences were, although she knew he'd be angry. His eyes were on fire, and she seemed to burn under his very gaze. He could hear her words ring off the hard stone walls and into the immense silence that followed.


"You are NOT the only person who's ever been nice to me!" he yelled weakly. With that he spit in her face and whirled out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Hermione heard him yell the lock to her door, although the words were muffled.


"MALFOYS!" Hermione yelled angrily to the silent air around her. Arrogant, two-timing, good-for-nothing, greedy, slimy . . .


_** ** ** ** **_


"GRANGERS!" Draco screamed as he stomped up the stairs. Witless, worthless, temperamental, muggle born, stubborn ass . . .