Love and Hate

By Tennisplaya278

You know the world is going crazy when the best golfer is a black guy, the best rapper is a white guy, the tallest player in the NBA is Chinese, Germany doesn't want to go to war, France is accusing us of arrogance and the three most powerful people in the U.S.A. are named Bush, Dick and Colon.

- Chris Rock -

-Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue, I don't own Harry Potter and neither do you. Bananas are yellow, tomatoes are red, stop reading this and read my story instead! -

Another uncomfortable silence fell upon the pair as they made their way down the long corridors. It was still before hours and they had every right to be there, but years of sneaking out had made Hermione a cautious, more paranoid person. Every shadow seemed to have eyes watching them, every breath of wind a ghost.

There was still that unsettled silence looming around and Hermione had no idea what to say. Fortunately for her, Ron started a conversation. One that didn't have to do with anything romantic.

"How far away are N.E.W.T's?"

N.E.W.T.S.

Perhaps the most dreaded word by all 7th years. It was indeed coming up and many of the teachers were preparing them for it.

"Ron! How can you not know when they are? They are probably the most important tests you'll ever take! They're in May and that's not too far away. Just 4 months Ron! 4 months!"

The slightest smile reached Ron's lips. Anybody who knew those two would've noticed nothing strange. Hermione was being her know-it-all self and Ron; well there really wasn't a word to describe him.

"So I suppose you've been studying then?" He asked, already knowing the answer. Hermione didn't seem to get the sarcasm. (A/N: Don't you hate when people do that?)

"Of course I have! I can't believe you haven't been studying! All those nights you had no homework, you could have been studying!" She shouted, causing a few 6th years to glance her way.

Ron laughed. "Don't worry. Of course I have been studying. What do you think I was doing while you were reciting the 15 uses of munkwood? Sleeping?" He quirked up an eyebrow.

"Well yes," She blushed. "You usually don't pay attention in class so I just assumed…"

"That's right miss. You just 'assumed'. Don't ever assume." Ron said in his most philosophical voice.

By now they had reached the portrait. The young couple waved out to them and Ron scowled.

"I don't like that portrait." The couple grew cross and began muttering curse words toward him. "It gives you the wrong idea."

Hermione had to laugh as she said the password. It swung open and Hermione said to him, "Oh yes Ron. Malfoy and me are just snogging senselessly when you're not here. You have found out my dark secret!"

Of course it was a sarcastic comment and Ron figured that out. He just laughed along with her. Then she stopped and said very seriously, "You know that I'm not doing anything with Malfoy. Never have, never will. How could I like a person like him?"

"I guess you're right. But if he touches a hair on your head I swear I'll hex him."

Hermione sighed. "Ron, you and Harry have been saying that all year. I am a big girl and I can take care of myself."

"Yeah. Sometimes I forget that our little Hermione has grown up." He preteneded to wipe a tear of his face.

"Yes Ron."

"Ok. I've got to go. Bye!"

With a roll of her eyes, Hermione said, "Bye."

She walked in and closed the portrait door behind her.

Maybe if she had remembered that sound can go through open spaces and that a certain Draco Malfoy was in there, listening very intently on their conversation, then maybe she would've been more careful what words she had chosen. Then again, maybe not.

&&&

Draco's eyes went as wide as gallons. He couldn't believe what she had said about him but he knew that wasn't true. That was the way she had felt about him for the past 6-½ years. How could he expect her to change that fast?

Of course, he had changed for her hadn't he?

He looked at a rose, sitting in a glass vase on the messy desk. The deep red stood out against the white papers and black ink. It was a simple thing, a rose. So beautiful and elegant, having thousands of meanings. The rose seemed to fit perfectly within the vase. And that was what it was.

Perfection.

But even the slightest crack in the vase, or brown on a leaf could disrupt the entire aura of it. It just wouldn't be enchanting anymore.

And he knew what that crack in the vase or brown on the leaf was.

It was Ron Weasley. The man who stole Hermione from him.

Draco glanced up. There were faint footsteps in the distance. That meant one thing. Hermione was coming into the common room. If she found out he had heard her, Draco was sure she wouldn't be able to look at him again. He could never handle that.

So he did the first thing he could think of. He gently placed his head down upon his arms and closed his eyes. Draco was pretending to sleep.

He could he hear Hermione walk in. His ears strained to figure out what she was doing. The footsteps soon got louder until he was sure that she was standing right behind him. Her eyes were boring into the back of his head. The next thing he felt was a gentle shake on his shoulders. He grumbled a bit and his eyes fluttered open. She smiled at him.

"You've been working hard. Take a nice long rest and I'll finish the essay up. Then all we have to do is test it out."

He nodded numbly, as though he was asleep. With another smile toward him, Hermione sat down and began to look over his work, or rather lack of work.

Scratching the back of his head, Draco left to go up into his room. Now that he was pretending, he found out that he was indeed tired and was going to take Hermione's advice.

After trudging up the stairs, he fell into his bed, eyes closed. His deep slumber was interrupted a few hours later by the hooting of an owl.

-Author's Notes-

Ugh. Boring chapter. It was necessary; I needed to get Hermione and Ron to become friends again. So, next chapter will be up soon!

By the way. Just to clear something up, Hermione and Ron are not going out. They broke up during that fight and haven't gotten back together yet. Whether or not I make them get together again will be my descions...unless you want to tell me in your review what you want....

Dude...I got so many reviews for the last chapter! :) Woot woot!

Much thanks to:

Cathan: Wow! So many compliments! Thanks for reviewing!

Elfagetti: Thanks for reviewing!

Draco Is So God Damn Sexy: First off, I love your user name. It is so right. Yeah and I agree. I really hope they end up together but on her site, she says they're not going to. Darn... Anyways, Thanks for the review!

Molly: Thanks for the review!

ballOrfaLLbuTgetoutofmyHOUSE!!!!: Thanks for all those ideas. They're really gonna help!

Kitty of Wonder: Yeah, I have noticed how Ginny and Harry end up together. And yeah, it gets really annoying after a while. So, I'm definatly not going to have them end up together. Do you have any suggestions for other couples?