I know I haven't written in ages and that there's no reason for it, well there is actually. My cousin got married last week which meant that I had to spend 5 completely boring, computer-less days in Bradford. So I write now, with AS Levels looming closer (4 weeks to be precise)

Disclaimer: I own no characters except Julie and Jason. (And this computer)

Chapter 3; Damn Blood

Hermione woke with the sun in her face but she didn't mind, she was a morning person.

Going to the bathroom to clean up and then heading down to the common room, it was deserted, save for one person. Draco Malfoy. Hermione had avoided talking to him all week, since school had started. She didn't want to get into any fights.

Holding her head up high (without looking too snobbish) she headed for the house portrait that would take her out on the common room shared by the prefects and heads but Malfoy's question stopped her.

"Going somewhere Granger? It's Saturday and incase you didn't realise, we have to classes."

Hermione spun around so quickly that she acquired a slight head rush. Blinking, she answered.

"I don't know about you Malfoy, but I like too keep up to date with my studies!"

He shrugged. "To each mudblood his own. I was just wondering if you forgot that Dumbledore" he stressed the name which made Hermione scowl heavily "requested to see us a week after school started and if my calculations a correct, which I know they are, it has been exactly a week."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Make everything difficult don't you Ferret Face? It would have been a lot easier to just say 'we have to go and see Dumbledore for our meeting'."

"What, and risk sounding like a nobody, like you? I don't think so."

Malfoy glared and smirked. With a swish of his cloak, he stalked out of the door, obviously expecting her to follow him but not stopping to see if she did.

* * * * *

They were seated in Dumbledore's office 10 minutes later, sitting as far apart as humanly possible but still looking respectable. Dumbledore however, sensed the tension but it just made him smile. They had been sitting like this for the past few minutes and Hermione was getting restless.

"Uh, Professor? There are some things we need to discuss aren't there?"

Dumbledore seemed to come out of a state of dreamland. He blinked rapidly. "I am sorry Miss Granger" Dumbledore chuckled "I seemed to have got a tad lost in my thoughts."

Malfoy grumbled something which caused Hermione to shoot him a withering look even though she didn't hear what he said. It was obvious that Malfoy didn't think much about Dumbledore. She didn't seem to find that surprising though because she would bet her life that by the end of this year, he would become a Death Eater.

Dumbledore continued. "Well as you know, ever since your fourth year, the faculty have tried to inject a bit of happiness wherever possible and I want this year to be no different. I have devised a number of parties and balls to be carried out throughout the year. Fortunately, the actual planning is left upon the Head Boy and Girl. Prefects are in charge of the decorations but you have the final say. Because of this, only you two are required to come to the meetings.

I was thinking about a Halloween party, obviously a Christmas Ball, a Valentines Day party, an Easter Masquerade and a Leavers Ball which is only for seventh years."

Dumbledore resettled himself onto his chair and smiled at Hermione who returned the smile and at Malfoy who fought to keep his cruel thoughts to himself.

Hermione, sensing it, asked "Is that all Professor? That would give us two months to prepare the party. I am sure we can manage it." She indicated herself and Malfoy

"Yes Miss Granger, that is all. Please remember that Heads have the most important job of all in this. Prefects will help, give ideas and whatnot but the outcome is mostly by you and Mr Malfoy."

Hermione nodded her head and stood up, as did Malfoy. Saying goodbye, Hermione left his office, not-so-closely followed by Malfoy. When they reached the bottom of the spiral staircase, headed in opposite directions with saying a word to each other.

* * * * *

Hermione was in the Library for 2 hours before two people entered and sat down opposite her. She looked up and smiled. Hi, how's Prefect duty going?

Ginny and Julie smiled at her. The redhead mock yawned "Tiring. Not really. So we heard news that you had news for us."

Both girls smiled. Hermione grinned. "Yep. We are going to plan a Halloween party together."

Both girls squealed in delight. Ginny was ecstatic "we've never had a party before, it's normally always balls and stuff. This is going to be so much fun."

"I agree" said Hermione "but I've been in here for two hours now and I'm hungry."

"But the kitchens are closed." Julie said, confused.

Ginny giggled. "Don't worry bout it Julez, Hermione will just sneak into the kitchens and get some food. My brother Fred showed her how to do it."

"Wicked, bring us back some then. I'm starving!"

Hermione nodded, grabbed her bag and rushed out of the library and straight into the gorgeous Slytherin Head Boy.

"Will you watch where you're going vermin? I'm in a hurry and I don't need you bumping into me, now matter how sexy you find me. You're just a waste of perfectly good Hogwarts space."

"Oh go and boil your balls elsewhere Malfoy. I just had a bath and now because of you, I need another one. Can't you keep your putrid self away from me for just a moment?" Hermione shook her head exaggeratedly, smirked and stalked off in a way only Malfoy could.

He stared after her dumbstruck, scowled heavier than ever and headed towards their common room, muttering about silly bookworm's and their need to plague the blood of all good wizarding families.

* * * * *

Hermione entered the common room half an hour later buried under all the food she was carrying to find that everyone was in there. They all helped her with the food, well all but Malfoy. He just stared dumbstruck.

"Woohoo!" Yelled Julie. "You got it!! I can't believe it." And she helped herself to a cheese sandwich and 2 éclairs. She was a vegetarian so a lot of Hogwarts food was wasted with her.

Everyone helped themselves to something, including Malfoy which Hermione secretly smiled at. It was finished unsurprisingly quickly considering that there were three boys in the room.

"Right, well I have a Potions essay to complete so if you'll excuse me."

Two pairs of arms grabbed her from behind and Ginny said, "Sorry Hermione, but we can't let you go. There's no need for you to go so soon. It's early and you can do it tomorrow." They smiled too sweetly and innocently. Hermione's eyes narrowed but she obliged and sat. She turned to look at the three boys and found that they were actually talking to each other civilly. Well it was expected of Terry and Jason but Malfoy too?

Julie followed her gaze and nudged Hermione in the side. "I told you that he didn't treat people that bad. Actually, it's just your circle of friends he does it to." She mused "Don't let him bother you."

Hermione whipped her head around. "How can I not let it? I don't like to have enemies and it irks me that Malfoy, who doesn't know me, is so quick to judge me just because of my blood and who my best friends are. He doesn't know me."

"Don't let it get you down. Why should you care what he does? He's immature and a daddy's boy." Ginny piped up "He's not worth it."

Julie nodded wholeheartedly.

"Listen." The redhead whispered. "Why don't you go on your outing tonight? You know the ones I mean."

"Which ones?" Julie asked curiously.

"Ok Gin, I'll tell you later Julez or Ginny could tell you. I'm off up. Bye" she waved and left up the Head Boy and Girl staircase.
There, that's my longest chapter to date (I think) I'll write again as soon as I can. Please review.