A/N: Here's another chapter. I know this one's a little short too, but I'm making the fifth chapter as we speak (well it's in my head) and I'll be sure to post it up as soon as possible! And let me tell you right now…the next chapter is going to be gooood. haha

Disclaimer: Must I repeat myself??

Chapter 4: Confrontations

            Draco had been staring at his wall for the past 2 hours, contemplating the whole date. He had to admit, Hermione was the only person in Hogwarts that he could carry an intelligent conversation with. Face it, talking to Crabbe and Goyle was like talking to a brick wall; and talking to Pansy was even worse, with her making those creepy googly eyes at him. It was nice to have normal discussions once in a while, even if it was with a mudblood. What am I thinking?? His goal wasn't to find a new girlfriend; it was to split the Golden Trio up once and for all.

            Hermione was on her bed still dressed. She was tired and wanted nothing more to fall asleep. But she couldn't. Too much was on her mind. She had actually enjoyed an evening with Draco Malfoy. The boy who had tormented and teased her for 6 years. Ugh, I must be going crazy… With that, she went under the covers and tried to push the night's events out of her mind; but didn't succeed.

            Ron and Harry went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. They were still groggy from the other night, but had to force themselves to get out of bed. One of them had to confront Hermione of what was going on with her and Draco at The Three Broomsticks.

            "I still think you should do it." Ron said as he ran his fingers over his unruly red hair.

            "And why should I do it?" Harry asked mid-yawn.

            "Well think about it. She isn't exactly talking to me at the moment. And if I tell her that we were spying on her then who knows what she'll do to me!"

            "Is that my fault? Who's idea was it to follow them? Or better question yet, who's idea was it to make the stupid bet in the first place?
            "Malfoy!"

            "But who agreed to it?" Harry inquired. This made Ron stop and think for a moment.

            "You're right…this is my fault…"

            "Glad you finally noticed, Captain Obvious." They both sat across a very weary Hermione, who was playing with her food with her fork.

            "Rough night?" Ron asked coldly.  Hermione, forgetting her silent treatment, looked at Ron frigidly.

            "If you must know, yes. I couldn't sleep all night." Ron was taken aback. These were the first words she had said to him in almost a week.

            "So what did you do last night anyways?" Harry asked putting a biscuit on his plate. Hermione rolled her eyes.

            "How stupid do you 2 think I am??" She yelled standing up and starting Harry and Ron. She stomped out of the Great Hall once again.

            "I'm tired of this. If Hermione isn't going to voluntarily tell us, then I'm just going to have to force it out of her!" He followed Hermione out the double doors.

            Harry stayed behind. He had a headache this morning and was not in the mood to be caught in the middle of another Ron vs. Hermione match.

            "Hermione!.....Hermione!!" Ron called after her. She didn't stop until she was in the Gryffindor common room.

            "HERMIONE! WILL YOU STOP AND JUST TALK TO ME??" Hermione stopped. She turned around slowly to meet Ron's red face.

            "What? What do you want?"

            "I want to know what's going on between you and Malfoy."

            "And why would you expect anything is going on between me and Malfoy?"     

            "Because I saw you two at The Three Broomsticks last night!" He replied without thinking. Hermione stepped closer to him arms crossed.

            "And what exactly were you doing there that late at night?" she asked, her voice as cold as ice.

            "I…I was…" Ron scratched the back of his neck

            "You were what?"

            "I-I was…making sure…Malfoy kept his hands to himself." He responded unsurely.

            "Oh really? You didn't seem to care the night that bet was made."

            "It wasn't that 'Mione…"

            "Then what was it Ron? Please tell me I'm dying to know!" she exclaimed sarcastically.

            "It's just…that the money…"

            "Oh it was the money?? The money, oh wow Ron! I'm sorry I overreacted! Cause of course money is more important than your girlfriend!" She turned on her heel to go upstairs but was stopped by Ron's hand on her shoulder.

            "Hermione…I'm sorry…I know I should've never made the bet. Can we just go back to the way things were?" he asked solemnly. Hermione turned to face him.

            "No. I'm sorry too Ron. But this relationship wouldn't have worked if you were willing to pawn me off."

            "'Mione,"

            "No, Ron. Let me finish. You treated me as if I were your property. And I just feel like this relationship won't be going anywhere now." She waited for a response, but got an understanding nod. For the first time in a while, she let out a small genuine smile and they hugged. Ron pulled back.

            "Oh before I forget…" He reached into his robe and pulled out a small container. "Um…after I lost everything to Malfoy, this was all I could get for you." He held it out and Hermione took it.

            "A chocolate frog. How very…Ron…of you…"

            "Is that a bad thing?

            "No…not at all." As they walked out the common room back to the Great Hall, they had no idea they were being watched by a pair of steely-gray eyes.

A/N: You know what to do! Send your reviews! Yeah I know this chapter contained some fluff, but it seemed kind of necessary for the whole "break-up" scene. I'll try and make the next chapter longer and juicier. Should be up by today!! Thanks to all my reviewers!!