Ok: well here's chapter 7...I'm sorry it took so long, but I've been having a horrible deal of writer's block...this chapter is shorter than I wanted it to be, but my buddy talked me into splitting this chapter into two....so here's the first part...Also I want to thank all of my loyal reviewers, I love all of you...Hope I don't let you down...

Disclaimer: (Insert disclaimer from chapter 1)

Battle of the Bands

Chapter 7: Explanations and Delayed Apologies

After Draco left in the opposite direction of Hermione Professor Dumbledore let out a slight chuckle at what he had just witnessed. 'This is wonderful. House unity is definitely close at hand. I must tell Minerva of this wonderful progress.' Dumbledore thought as he went to find Professor McGonagall. When he reached the door of McGonagall's classroom he knocked it gently consecutively three times.

"Come in Albus," Minerva said in her usual tone of voice. Dumbledore entered the classroom to see the Professor/Deputy Headmistress grading essays. "Minerva, I've come to tell you of a fight that has occurred between Mr. Malfoy's and Miss Granger's bands." Minerva completely stopped everything and looked at Dumbledore, "Another fight? What must we do to get those two to stop their rivalry?!?" McGonagall exasperated putting a hand on her head.

"Now Now Minerva I said that their bands were in the fight not Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy themselves." Dumbledore said comfortingly. "You mean those two actually weren't fighting with one another?" "Yes, Minerva, in fact it was they who stopped the fight. They seemed to work quite harmoniously together. They both took 60 points from their Houses." McGonagall stared at Dumbledore in utter disbelief, "You mean..." "Yes, Minerva even Mr. Malfoy took points from his House and willingly too."

McGonagall stood up from her chair, and walked over to Dumbledore, "so Draco and Hermione were actually getting along. This plan of yours is actually working, Albus?" "Quite, they are getting along quite nicely. In fact I had another idea," Minerva raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore, "Another idea?" Dumbledore just smile, "Yes, Minerva, I thought about that detention you gave Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger, and I thought that as a reward fro their progress and punishment to their bands that we could give their detention to..."

Gryffindor Common Room...

"Harry, Ron, Ginny!!!! I've got to talk to you!" Hermione shouted as she wobbled her way into the Common Room. She took a seat next to Harry, "Mione, let us explain our actions before you give us another lecture. Malfoy's cronies were threatening your safety and so we lashed out. Similar to how you lashed out last week when Malfoy threatened Ron's and my safety, so it would be hypocritical for you to lecture us about fighting when you yourself were caught fighting for the same reason." Harry breathlessly finished as Ron and Ginny nodded in agreement.

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but she closed it when she realized that he was right, "You're right Harry, but that was between me and Malfoy and not a huge group. Just imagine if the six of you had gotten caught by McGonagall or worse Snape. They would've thrown our sorry arses as well as the Slytherin's out of the competition, and I don't know about you guys, but I want to win this thing." The band looked at their front singer with admiration at her last few sentences. Then Ron spoke, "Ok, fine, we won't fight them again unless we absolutely have to, but now I just want to know what really happened? Did Malfoy push you down? Did you guys get into another fight and you fell accidentally? What?"

All eyes were now staring intently at Hermione, "ok well we did get into a verbal row, and I decided to walk out of the detention, but as I was going he said something, and it made me stop. I tried to turn around but my shoe was caught in a crevice in the floor and it was also slippery from Malfoy's mopping, and I fell. Snape couldn't hear anything so he couldn't help me so Malfoy carried me all the way to the hospital wing." Hermione finished. They all appeared to believe her story, but then Ginny asked, "Mione, what did Malfoy say that had such a great impact that made you stop?"

The two boys turned their attention from the petite red head to the petite brunette, "Yeah, Mione, what did that slimy git say?" Harry asked. 'ok think quick you can't tell them what he really said that would provoke too many questions.' She thought, "I don't remember guys, I honestly don't remember, but I know that it was something very unMalfoy like." The boys accepted Hermione's answer, but Ginny didn't seem to buy it. Nonetheless she said nothing.

Soon a discussion about Quidditch broke out between Harry, and Ron. Ginny and Hermione began to talk about her and Harry's relationship. Then the conversation drifted somehow to the upcoming round of the talent show, "You know Dumbledore has made it a requirement that each band's song for the next round is of a slow tempo, and Mione I don't know if you've noticed but all of our songs are fast or moderate in tempo. The second round is in six days, what are we going to do?" Ginny now stared at the front lead in anticipation of an answer, "Don't worry Gin, I'll come up with something, and we will be fine."

Before they could finish their discussion Hedwig flew through a window and landed gracefully on Harry's shoulder. Harry petted his beloved owl as he read the parchment, "What?!?! Dumbledore gave us Hermione's detention!!!" Ron snatched the paper from Harry and then looked at everyone wide eyed, "How? Why?" Ron asked. "Well if you read to the end of the letter you would know that apparently our fight was seen and reported to Dumbledore, and because it was broken up by our very own we have Hermione's detention instead of her."

Ginny said after reading the letter she took from Ron. Hermione stood in shock then finally opened her mouth, "you guys, I'm sorry." Harry just shrugged his shoulders, "it's alright because at least I'll have some more quality time with my girlfriend," He put his arm around Ginny and kissed her forehead, and then Ron nudged him in the stomach, "oh and I'll have more quality time with one of my best friends, but most importantly you won't have to suffer another detention with Malfoy." Harry added, and Ron nodded in agreement. Hermione, too nodded, and checked her watch, 10:21, it read. "Well, umm, I best be going I've got some homework that needs to be finished." Hermione said as she grabbed her crutch. The trio nodded at their departing friend, "oh hey Mione when do you want to get together to rehearse for the second round?" Ginny asked. "Oh after you three's quidditch practice on Tuesday." Then Hermione exited to head for her "date."

Head Common Room...

Draco took one last look at himself in the mirror. He ran his long slender fingers through his rugged hair. Taking a glance at the clock on the mantle that read, 10:27, Draco began pacing the room giving himself a pep talk. "Ok Draco relax, it's just a get together with Hermione. Oh God three minutes left. What should I say to her? What should we talk about? Oh shit I don't know. Maybe I should apologize about the past or maybe I should tell her the reason why I couldn't..."

"Couldn't what?" Draco turned around to see Hermione as she entered the common room. "Oh um nothing, you're right on time, please have a seat." Draco said as he motioned her towards the loveseat. As Hermione gently lowered herself onto the seat, Draco pulled a small table in front of Hermione. She looked at him confusedly, "umm Malfoy, I thought we were just going to chat." Draco pulled up a seat on the opposite end of the table. "Well, I thought that we could get to know one another while playing a game of wizard's chess."

"Ok, but just so you know I'm not really good at this game, Ron can beat me in 4 moves." Hermione said as she took off her outer robe, loosened her tie, and rolled up her sleeves. "It's alright, and since I'm white and I move first how about you talk about yourself first. Pawn to H3." The pawn moved to his commanded spot. "Oh ok, well what do you want to know? Pawn to D7." Draco looked at Hermione, and smiled, "tell me anything and everything." "Alright, well 17 years ago, my parents decided they wanted to have a baby and..." Hermione stopped when Draco held a hand up, "ok Hermione I didn't mean exactly everything. Knight to G8." The knight's horse stomped on Hermione's pawn; crushing it into smithereens. "Well, my name is Hermione Jane Granger and I was born September 19th, 1987. My parents are Sarah and Brian Granger. I attended a muggle elementary school, and then I got my letter, and I came here, and you know the rest... So, what about you?" Hermione moved one of her pawns that stabbed Draco's knight.

"My name is Draco Aidan Malfoy, and I was born June 8th 1987. My parents are Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. I was tutored in certain arts before I got my letter, and came to Hogwarts." Soon they began to talk more about their childhoods, what they want to do when they Hogwarts, and such. They laughed at the stories they shared and jokes they made. Then Hermione just had to ask, "Malfoy, do you really hate my kind, muggle borns I mean?" Draco winced slightly at her question, "well it's complicated...but to answer your question, no I don't hate muggle borns."

Hermione looked at Draco, "I'm glad you don't, and check." Draco looked down as Hermione's Queen was ready to stab his King. "Hermione, do you hate me?" "I did, but now that I'm starting to actually get to know you I don't think I can say that I do anymore, but I still haven't forgotten the way you treated me and my friends for the last six years. It hurts, but I think I can forgive you eventually." Draco stared at the chessboard thinking of where to move, "Don't say you can forgive me yet when I haven't even apologized yet. I'm not going to say I'm sorry right now because I want to do it in a special way."

"And, in what way is that?" Draco gave her a playful smirk, "You'll have to wait and see, but anyway it's getting late. So I think that I will retire for the evening sense we do have class tomorrow. It's been fun, we should do this again. Goodnight Hermione." Draco stood up and kissed Hermione on the forehead and headed towards his room. "Wait, Malfoy, we haven't finished the game." Hermione called out to him. Draco stopped and turned around, "Bishop to E2." The Bishop stood diagonally from Hermione's king. Whose sword fell to the ground.

"Checkmate"

A/N: ok ok, well this wasn't my favorite chapter, but it sets it up for the next chapter which will be the span of a few days therefore there will be more lovable Draco/Hermione moments, and the second round of the talent show...I am not a chess player so I don't know if my commands are accurate, but oh well....And I know that Draco and Hermione's date wasn't that long, but don't worry there will be other moments...so until then