A/N: Hello! Well I haven't checked my reviews from the last chapter yet. So I am hoping you are liking it. Umm onto the story.
DiScLiAmEr: No it does not belong to me. Well only the plot.
Chapter Five: I Hate You
"What? What is it?" asked Hermione startled by Ginny nearly tackling her to the ground.
"It's really important!" cried Ginny, "Can we talk in your room?"
"Yeah okay. Can you just calm it a bit please? And stop screaming out the words. I intend on keeping my hearing."
"Sorry," said Ginny calmly.
Hermione nodded in approval and they walked upstairs to Hermione's dormitory.
"Stupid mudblood," growled Draco storming into the Slytherin common room.
"Hey Draco," said Blaise noticing his best friend, "Did you and Granger get into a fight again?"
"No," snapped Draco, "She's just so god damn annoying. Did you know earlier today she accused me of being scared?"
"Of what?"
"Of her lover boy Pothead."
"Scar head?"
"Yeah. That I was scared he was going to out do me in everything. Who does she think she is?"
"Why do you let her get to you?"
"I don't!"
"You do. You two bicker so much. It's amusing to watch you two going at it. You both can't be left alone for two minutes."
"You find it amusing?"
"Yeah I do. And so does the younger Weasley. I dunno about Crabbe and Goyle. I don't think they know what an argument is to tell you the truth."
"How could they? Goyle still wets the bed."
"Hmm... true. Look seriously. You and Granger argue like there no tomorrow. I don't have a thing against her. We are civil with each other."
"I'm not being civil with her. You haven't got a father who keeps pushing you to do better than everyone here."
"Draco... you say your never going to listen to him or try to please him, yet look at what you are doing?"
Draco groaned and stormed up to his room.
Hermione placed her robe on the back of her desk chair and turned to Ginny.
"What is it that's so important?" asked Hermione.
"It's about Harry. I've been talking to him," said Ginny calmly.
"So I've noticed."
"You need to hear his side of the story Hermione. When he said he didn't know why he did it he was serious."
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione sitting on her bed with her legs crossed.
"What is Miss Brown most well known for casting?" sighed Ginny.
"The... love trance... she used the love trance spell on Harry to score him?"
"Yes! Harry only remembers Lavender entering the compartment than you looking at him in shock. You know the trance thing makes you say things the caster wants to hear and do anything they want you to do!"
"So Harry didn't mean to cheat on me?"
"He didn't know he was doing it."
Hermione suddenly felt sick. Why wasn't she crying with relief? Why wasn't her heart pounding knowing the fact that Harry didn't mean it and that he still loved her? Hermione knew why.
"Ginny... can I tell you something?" asked Hermione, "I only just realized this myself..."
"What?"
"I... I don't think I love Harry anymore. Not romantically. Like a friend and brother I do. And I think I haven't loved him romantically for a while. It just took this split to make me realize it."
Ginny nodded, "Are you okay about that?"
Hermione nodded, "I have to talk to him don't I?"
"He wants you to."
Hermione stood up and headed for the door than looked over her shoulder at Ginny, "Can you come with me? Does Ron know?"
"I told him while you were at the meeting," replied Ginny following Hermione down stairs.
Harry and Ron were seated by the fire catching up. They both looked up at the sound of voices entering the common room. Harry saw Hermione look at him nervously. Normally Harry would of felt butterflies in his stomach at the sight of Hermione but he no longer did. And he knew why.
"Harry... can we talk?" asked Hermione not looking at him.
How as he meant to tell her? "Sure," replied Harry standing up.
"Do you want me to come with you?" asked Ginny quietly to Hermione.
"I can do it... thanks," replied Hermione.
With a smile at Ron, Hermione and Harry left the common room and walked along the corridors.
"I know the truth," said Hermione to break the silence, "And I'm truly sorry I didn't hear you out the two times you tried to explain it to me."
"I understand," said Harry, "I don't blame you for being mad."
Hermione smiled.
"Hermione... I don't know how to say this. But I have to tell you," said Harry, "This break up caused me to realize something that I think I've been feeling for the past three months. I don't love you romantically anymore."
Hermione sighed in relief. She wasn't the only one, "You have no idea how glad I am to hear that," laughed Hermione causing Harry to look confused, "I feel the same way. I mean I love you like a brother and bestfriend but that's as far as it goes."
"Same here... cept as a sister, not a brother."
Hermione smiled and hugged Harry.
"So friends?" asked Harry pulling away.
"Best Friends," grinned Hermione.
(A/N: Don't think I'm leaving the Chapter there!)
Draco rolled over in his bed causing his face to hit the dull sunlight that shone in on him.
"Oh fuck off," growled Draco to the sunlight opening his eyes.
He looked at his clock to see it was only 6:30am. Closing his eyes he rolled back over willing sleep to wash over him.
"It's useless," grumbled Draco sitting up, "Stupid sunlight."
Sliding out of his bed Draco walked over to his bathroom and entered. He washed his face and went back to his room and dressed.
Grabbing his book bag, Draco left for the Great Hall.
Hermione pulled her hair into a ponytail and grabbed her bag and ran down to the common room.
"Morning Hermione," grinned Harry.
He had turned into a morning person over the 6th year with help from Hermione of course. "Hey Harry. Ready to go to breakfast?" replied Hermione.
"Why not? Least you won't leave me nigel today."
Hermione laughed, "Come on Mr Play-On-My-Friends-Guilt."
Harry stuck his tongue out at Hermione and they both headed for the Great Hall.
Draco walked up the dungeon stairs into the Entrance Hall. He knew Blaise would already be in the Great Hall eating breakfast with Crabbe and Goyle.
Laughter from the staircase beside him zapped him out of his thoughts. Looking up he saw Hermione and Harry laughing at something.
"Well, well, well Pothead and Mudblood are back in action as the Golden Couple. How cute," snarled Draco.
Hermione's eyes narrowed, "For your information Malfoy we are not dating. We are friends. Tell me do you know what friends are? Or are they known as allies to you?"
"Yes Granger friends do exist in my life. So I gather your shagging the Weasel? Or is that Potter?"
"Nobody is shagging anybody. But if your looking for one I'm sure Lavender will gladly give you one."
"Sorry not interested."
Hermione raised an eyebrow at Harry who was doing the same to her.
"That's a first," said Harry.
"Yea. Malfoy turning down a free root," replied Hermione.
"These things happen."
"Eh, true."
Chuckling Hermione and Harry entered the Great Hall.
Draco's famous scowl appeared on his face as he entered the Hall.
Blaise looked up from his bowl to see a snickering Hermione and Harry walk in followed by a scowling Draco.
"Here we go again," sighed Blaise, "Crabbe, Goyle shove over so Draco can sit."
Goyle and Crabbe moved to the left still feeding their faces.
"Morning Draco," greeted Blaise.
"I hate her," replied Draco.
"Hate is a strong word. Wouldn't dislike be better?"
"No. I hate Hermione Granger."
Blaise sighed, "What happened this time?"
"Nothing. Lets just establish the fact that I can't stand Granger."
Blaise sighed and returned to his breakfast.
"So what is on the agenda first for you Hermione?" asked Harry.
"Advanced Charms with Slytherin and Ravenclaw... oh and Hufflepuff," replied Hermione, "You?"
"Potions. No Slytherins either."
"Lucky you two." Hermione knew Ron had Potions with Harry, "Malfoy is in my class."
"Like I said yesterday Herms. I sympathise for you but I'm glad it's not me."
"Shut up Ron. I have to go. See you both in Care of Magical Creatures."
"Bye."
Hermione grabbed her bag and hurried out. She had a ten-minute walk to her class and didn't have a minute to waste if she wanted to get there early.
"Hermione!"
Hermione spun around and saw Hannah and Padma running after her.
Hermione waited for them smiling.
"Morning," greeted Hermione.
"Hey girl!" grinned Padma, "Are you and Harry like back together?"
"No. We both talked it over. It turned out Lavender used a love trance on him. But we both realized we weren't in love anymore. So we are friends again."
"That's good," said Hannah hugging her.
"Yeah. Good for you Hermione," added Padma hugging her as well, "Pavarti and her aren't talking anymore. That's a good thing too because Pav has matured without her."
"Lavender is just a sex starved maniac in my opinion," said Hermione glaring at Lavender as she passed.
"God Hermione," snapped Lavender turning to look at her, "Least I can get some."
"Excuse me? You have to FORCE to guys into giving it to you."
A small crowd was gathering.
"Force them?"
"Yes love trance them. Make them do what you want. You just such lovely morals."
"Please don't tell me you are the no sex before marriage," scoffed Lavender.
Draco who had joined the crowd was for some reason interested in Hermione's reply to this.
"How can I be?" thought Draco, "I hate the girl."
"What I believe in is known of your business. Though I don't believe in slutting around. Opening my legs to any Tom, Dick or Barry (A/N: I know it's meant to be Harry... but I didn't think Hermione would who Harry's name in a sentence like that one.) that will give it freely."
Lavender let out a loud huff and pushed her way through the crowd.
Hermione caught Draco's eye in the crowd, "Enjoy the show?"
"No," replied Draco, "There was no cat fight."
"Bet you would love watching that."
"You bet right."
"Oh yay. Good for me," said Hermione sarcastically.
"Pathetic Granger really."
"Are you two going at it again?" came to voices in unison.
Hermione and Draco looked to there right to see Ginny and Blaise.
"When will you two cut the fighting?" sighed Ginny.
"When she's not a stuck up prissy!" snapped Draco.
"Me a prissy? Look at you, you over grown ferret!" cried Hermione.
"Stop it!" butt in Blaise, "Look Draco get to Charms. Granger... what have you got?"
"What the gits got of course."
"Well go."
Hermione took off with Hannah and Padma who had waited for her.
"I hate him so much," muttered Hermione.
Draco glared at his bestfriend and followed Hermione's retreating back.
"Those two... I swear," said Ginny shaking her head.
"Do you reckon there's a romance between them waiting to happen?" asked Blaise.
"A forbidden one you mean?"
"Yeah. The classic love tale."
Ginny laughed, "If they don't kill each other first than maybe."
"They probably would you know. How are they going to handle working on there Care of Magical Creatures assignment?"
"They have to work together?"
"Yeah."
"Whoa. I better go."
"See you round Weasley."
Ginny smiled at Blaise and left. (A/N: Ohhhh!)
"Now today we are going to be pairing up to practise casting the bubble spell," squeaked the tiny Professor Flitwick, "You will cast the bubble around your partner. Taking it in turns."
Hermione smiled at this.
"I have a list of who is working with who. When you here your name team up and find a clear spot to practise. Hannah and Seamus, Josie and Dean, Hermione and Draco, Padma and Rick..."
Hermione stood up and walked to where Draco was already standing.
"I swear the world is out to get me," grumbled Hermione, "And no I don't feel honoured to be working with an over grown ferret."
"I wasn't going to say anything," replied Draco.
"I'm sure you weren't. I bet your just dying to call me a mudblood."
At that moment Professor McGonagall walked in with a letter in her hand.
"Professor Flitwick, I'm sorry to interrupt but I have an urgent letter for Miss Granger," said McGonagall, "This came for you. I have not read it."
Hermione said thankyou and took it. McGonagall stood where she was while Hermione opened it. All eyes were upon her.
Dear Miss Granger,
We are sorry to inform you that your foster parents Jo and Barry Granger died in an attack from four Death Eaters earlier this morning at twenty four past five. We, The Ministry Of Magic send our deepest sympathy.
Yours Sincerely,
The Aurour Section.
"Ohh..." cried Hermione collapsing to the ground on her knees, "No... no...what... I..."
McGonagall knelt down beside Hermione and helped her up, "Come Miss Granger... we best go see Dumbledore."
Hermione nodded and allowed McGonagall to lead her out of the classroom.
Draco and the rest of the class stood in silence. Soon everyone was looking at Flitwick.
"Class dismissed. Mr Malfoy... perhaps you should go see how you can help Miss Granger. You are Headboy and it's in your duty," said Flitwick.
"I have a feeling Professor that Gr-Hermione wouldn't like my assistance as we cannot stand each other."
Flitwick nodded, "Take a seat Mr Malfoy."
Draco sat down and looked at the tiny Professor.
"Have you heard of the Lily and James romance?"
"As in Lily and James Potter?"
"Yes."
"No. All I know is there's was the greatest romance to ever become at this school."
"Quite right. During Lily's seventh year her parents died in a terrible car accident. At the time Lily could not stand James. Lily was Headgirl and it was Sirius Black who was Headboy. James had had a crush on Lily since his fourth year. But young Sirius informed his bestfriend of Lily's situation. Now James could be an uncaring cold-hearted boy at times. Quite like yourself."
Draco nodded.
"But in times of need he could be the most caring young man ever to walk these halls. Well one day during their Charms lesson young Lily Evans broke down in tears. She'd been telling everyone everything was fine, but James knew she was hiding it. He was there for her when no one else was. Her hatred for the boy grew to respect, respect grew to friendship and friendship grew to love."
"Right. Well what has that got to do with Hermione and me? I'm sorry Professor but there is no way a romance of any sought is going to blossom between us too. We have hated each other for two long. We are from two houses that have a strong dislike between them."
"That may be so. Just keep what I said in mind. You best go to class."
"Apple Toffee," said McGonagall.
Hermione let the Professor lead her up to the Headmasters Office who had the door open and waiting.
"Miss Granger. Take a seat," said Dumbledore calmly, "I am aware you have just received devastating news."
"They made a mistake on the letter," said Hermione, "They said my parents were my foster parents."
"No, that is not a mistake. That is correct."
"W-what do you mean?" asked Hermione, "My foster parents?"
"I think it is time you knew the truth Miss Granger. Would you like someone close to you here to help you through what you are about to hear?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Very well."
A/N: Evil aren't I? I love cliffhangers. Well only when I write them. Review!
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