Disclaimer: I want to know who really reads these disclaimers, honestly. I mean, everyone knows that any story on is not owned by the auther, plots and original characters excluded of coarse. Anywho, on to the Author's Note.
A/N: I just wanted to say that I am sorry for the delay. I started school last Monday (the 30th of Augest) and have been going hectic between six classes (that's excluding nutrition and lunch), Academic Decathelon after school Monday's through Thursday's for an hour, getting on the treadmill, doing my homework, and, starting this Saturday (the eleventh), I shall be doing community service for the library to get my hours in. Did I mention the AP club? Sheesh, I'm surprised I can sleep and eat, let alone work on my fanfics. Anywho, not that any of you were really interested in my home life anyway. So, without further ado, onto the story in which Hermione and Draco are meant for each other but do not know it just yet. (Try saying that in one breath).
The next morning, I sat down at the table, feeling somewhat happier than I've been lately. I don't know what it is. It must be because Draco and I are friends. Or perhaps it's because Ron has not stopped stealing little kisses from me a lot lately. Either way, I feel tons happier.
"What are you so happy about, Missie?" inquired Ron as I sat down next to him. Then his eyes widened. "Oh no, we don't have a test today, do we? Cripe, how could I forget again?"
"No no no, Ron," I chuckled, stopping him from hitting his head. "I just... feel.... happy, that's all. No particular reason."
"Oh," frowned Ron, looking at me strangly.
"So, Ginny told me last night," I smiled to Harry, ignoring the confused look that Ron is giving me right now. "Pretty nice of you to take her to Hogsmede today."
"I'm happy, and yet so nervous," Harry admitted.
"You'll be fine, Harry," Ron said. "First dates are bound to leave your stomach in knots."
"He's right, Harry," I said. "First dates tend to play all sorts of mind games with you. It's only natural."
"I think I'm nervous enough for ten first dates," Harry laughed hesitantly, wringing his hands and looking from side to side. "I don't know WHY I should be so nervous. I mean, after all I've done against Voldemort," Ron and I flinched and Harry, as usual, ignored us, ".... a simple date should be no problem for me."
"Hiya 'Mione, Ron.... Harry," smiled Ginny. She sat down next to Harry. "I'm looking forward to Hogsmede today. Where are we going?"
"Erm... it's a surprise," muttered Harry, casting his eyes down at his nearly untouched plate.
"You have no idea where we are going, do you?" chuckled Ginny.
"No, not one blasted clue," Harry admitted sheepishly, looking at Ginny apologetically. I smiled as I saw a slight blush rise in his cheeks.
"That's alright, I'm sure we can just wonder around until we find somewhere that seems interesting," smiled Ginny. Just then, owls filled the room, all delivering the morning post. I don't expect anything, excepter perhaps the paper. Undoubtedly my parents would be furious at me for what I had done. But my eyes immediately widened when I saw a small, red envelope drop right in front of me. Oh no... it's a howler. But... who could be sending me a howler? Then, it hit me. I had taught my mother how to use a howler just two summers ago. She wanted to know how to send one in case she should ever get up the courage to yell at my Granny.
I looked at Ron, Harry, and Ginny, all of whom were reflecting my experession.
"I-I.... I.... I-I..." I have no clue what to say. My vision is becoming all blury because of the tears that are threatening to fall. With a shaky hand, I slowly turned the howler around and, even more slowly, I opened it.
"HERMIONE LORRAINE GRANGER!" it shouted. I dropped it to the table and it quickly became the shape of a mouth. "I CANNOT, REPEAT, CANNOT BELIEVE YOU, YOUNG LADY. FIRST, YOU YELL AT YOUR POOR GRANDMOTHER! THEN, YOU RUN OFF INTO THE NIGHT, LEAVING ME SICK WITH WORRY! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN HURT BY SOME SICK PROWLER! IF DUMBLEDORE HADN'T TAKEN THE LIBERTY OF SENDING ME A LETTER OF YOUR WHEREABOUTS, I COULD BE HAVING NIGHTMARES BECAUSE OF ALL THE POSSIBILITIES OF YOUR DEATH FLASHING BEFORE MY EYES! I AM SO MAD AT YOU, I DON'T EVEN WANT TO TALK TO YOU! YOU'RE A BAD GIRL, HERMIONE, AND THE NEXT TIME YOU PULL SUCH A STUPID STUNT LIKE THAT, I WILL SEND YOU STRAIGHT TO BOARDING SCHOOL! I NEVER THOUGHT I'D LIVE TO SEE THE DAY I'D HAVE TO THREATEN YOU WITH THAT, MISSIE! HMPH!" With that, the howler shred into hundreds of tiny pieces.
"Hermione," said Ron, touching my shoulder. But I didn't want to hear anything from anyone. I have just been totally emberassed in front of everyone. The other students, as well as the staff, were all looking at me. Most of them were worried, but then a few of the Slytherins started laughing at me.
"Was that GRANGERS howler?"
"Yes, it was."
"Granger's got a howler, Granger's got a hoooowler," chanted Pansy Parkinson. A few of the other students began to chant along with her. Without waiting for anyone else to say another word, I ran from the Great Hall, tears streaming down my face.
"Hermione!" called Ron. "Wait up!" But I didn't listen to him. I just kept on running.
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"Come on, 'Mione," pleaded Ron.
"I'm not coming out," I said firmly.
"Come on, 'Mione, please come outta that stall."
"SHE'S allowed in MY stall anytime she wants," huffed Moaning Myrtle, staring angrily at Ron.
"Come on, mate," said Harry, pulling on Ron's arm. "I think she just needs some time alone."
"Okay," he said. Then he tapped once more on the door. "If you need me for anything, I'll be waiting in the Gryffindor commonroom, okay?" I didn't answer. It's not that I don't WANT to answer, it's just that I know that if I try to even make a sound, I'll cry even more. "I love you, 'Mione." With that, he left. For the next five minutes, I just sat there, staring at my feet that I have on the toilet seat. Then, there was another knock on the door. Okay, Ron, I know you love me, but enough is enough. I pulled back the door to tell him so, and then gasped.
"Oh, Draco, it's you," I hissed, pushing him aside. "What do you want, another chance to laugh at me, who got the howler?" I walked over to the sink.
"No, erm, I need to, um, use the lavatory," he said, looking at the stall.
"In the girls lavatory?" I asked, glaring at him through the mirror. He chuckled.
"Oh my, are we in the GIRLS bathroom? Oops, my mistake." I glared at him.
"So, you have come to laugh at me," I hissed.
"No, Hermione," he said, blocking me from leaving. "Look, I know this isn't the best time to joke. I just thought you might need to smile. I'm sorry." Do I believe him?
"Why should I believe you?" I asked.
"Because, I'm your friend and that's what I do," he said. "I tell you the truth."
"Really?" I asked. I so want to believe him, but I just don't know if I can.
"Really really," he smiled. I can't take it anymore. I just broke down and cried, clinging to him.
"I'm so glad that you're not laughing at me," I sobbed into his robes. I could feel him put his arms around me.
"I know, Hermione, I know," he said, rubbing my back. Is it wrong of me to admit that it feels so good being in his arms? Oh, stop it, Hermione. You're dating Ron now and it won't do for you to be thinking of Draco like that. I felt Draco lift my chin with one of his fingers.
"Look, no matter what those other creeps think of you, I know what that was all about, and I know that you didn't deserve to be yelled at like that. You didn't do anything wrong, Hermione. And don't you believe that, not for a second." I nodded and looked at him. He looks so handsome, especially when he's concerned.
Before I knew it, I saw, his face come towards me slowly. As if that wasn't bad enough, I felt myself getting closer to his face. We were mere centimeters away when...
"Hermione!" We jumped apart.
"Ron!" I exclaimed. "Let me explain." But all I could see was his retreating figure.
A/N2: I loved this chapter. Hehehe. Hope you likie as well. Loved the reviews guys. Keep it up, please.