Disclaimer: This poor author owns nothing but the plot

Ma Cherie

Chapter Two

"OMIGOD," said Parvati, practically hyperventilating. Hermione looked irritably over to her side where Parvati's eyes were glued to the letter in Hermione's hands. It was breakfast when the owl flew in with a letter in its claws that dropped right next to Hermione.

"Get a grip, Parvati," Hermione snapped. "And since when did you start hanging around me?"

"Ever since I realized I was on a mission to save you," said Parvati. Lavender was hovering behind Hermione, like a sprite bestowing blessings upon her.

"Well, you guys are only annoying me."

"But Hermione, someone responded to your personals!" squealed Lavender.

"I think I realize that," answered Hermione and opened up the envelope. She read silently to herself.

You intrigue me. I'm sorry to admit this but you do. From your ad I see you as the kind of girl with a stick shoved up her ass but something about you seems different. At least on paper. Write back. I'm interested to see if you can keep my attention, which is almost impossible in itself.

Barely Interested

Hermione frowned when she read the letter. Who the hell did "Barely Interested" think he was? Honestly. Hermione felt herself getting angry but also intrigued as well. She could tell by the tone, this person was completely different from herself. The exact opposite.

Write back. Those words seemed to jump off the paper. It was an order… that she was going to obey. Hermione rummaged through her book bag and found a new piece of parchment and a quill.

"No, Hermione!" pleaded Parvati. "You're going to write back?"

"Come on Parvati," said Ginny, reading over the note. "I think it's romantic."

"It's dangerous, that's what this is!"

"As if they let a serial killer into Hogwarts, don't be stupid," said Hermione.

Bitter words can sting but sweet ones can kill.

Ma Cherie

"That's deep Hermione!" said Ginny, eyes wide.

"Well, if that's the way he wants to play it," said Hermione, grinning.

"Don't do it Hermione!" cried Parvati. Hermoine rolled her eyes and attached the letter to the owl's leg and let it fly off.

"Well, whatever, I'm off to class." Parvati looked dismally at Hermione's retreating back.

"Since when did she become the official bitch of Hogwarts?" asked Parvati.

"Since you became to stupid to hold the part," answered Ginny. She gathered her things and left too. Parvati looked at Lavender, eyes (heavily lined) wide.

"Did you hear them?" she whined. Lavender shrugged. Parvati stalked off. Parvati didn't like the way the little suck up and a stupid fifth year thought they could talk that way to her. Something had to be done."Dude, you got an answer," said one of the Slytherins. Already? Thought Draco. He read it and his face wrinkled up into a frown. Of the guys took it from him and read it.

"What the hell is this supposed to mean?" Draco rolled his eyes and took it back from him. He was still intrigued actually. Any other girl in this damn school would have written him a howler full of complaints and insults. But she kept her cool. Draco, grinned. He liked that.

"It doesn't mean anything, go back to eating," ordered Draco. Lo and behold, the dumb Slytherin did. In the Slytherin house, Draco was like God. While the Slytherins were reliving the quidditch match that was on a couple of days ago, Draco, started rereading the short letter over and over again. Maybe she wasn't as uptight as he thought she was. Who was this girl?

"I think Draco's in love," announced Zavier, a long, lanky, dark haired Slytherin boy.

"No," said another. "He's just confused." The table erupted in laughter until Draco gave them an icy glare and they quieted down.

"I think unlike some morons here," said Draco, looking each of them in the eye. They all seemed to cringe under Draco's look. Then Draco shrugged and turned to go and the table seemed to relax. Draco turned back around and put Goyle in a deadlock who in turn flipped him over. Draco howled in laughter as the Slytherin boys all joined in for a rumble.

"Oh god, look at them," said Ginny, pointing at the table with the Slytherins. They seemed to be in a fight…but enjoying it. Hermione saw several of the Slytherin girls perched on a table nearby, long legs crossed, clapping and cheering their boyfriends on. And for a second, Hermione kind of wished she was there, clapping for one of the guys, looking fem fetale, and not caring about missing the first class.

"Hermione?" asked Ginny.

"Hmm, what?"

"You were kind of spacing out," said Ginny.

"Oh, yeah, I guess I was."

"We should get going to class." Before she left though, Hermione sneaked one last look at the Slytherin table. Draco had come out on top and stepped onto Crabbe's back. He was sweaty with his hair in his eyes. He flipped them away and grinned devilishly. He took off his shirt and twirled it above his head, hooting, the rest of the Slytherin boys joining in. They were really animals. Hermione watched as Draco threw his shirt to the ground, his muscled chest and stomach gleaming in the morning sunlight that was streaming in through the windows. Pansy trotted up, threw her arms around Draco's neck, and kissed him. Then, Hermione couldn't watch anymore.
"I don't get it, Ginny," said Hermione. "I thought I liked being Gryffindor."

"And you do," said Ginny. "It's just that maybe you're feeling stressed." When Hermione looked doubtful, Ginny tugged at Hermione's arms.

"Come on, let's go find Ron and Harry, I think they'd be able to cheer you up."

"No, they'd cheer you up," grumbled Hermione. The petite redhead was surprisingly strong for her size and she pushed Hermione up.

"Cheer you up, cheer me up, same difference." Hermione sighed. Ginny still had a pretty bad crush on Harry. And Harry being stupid had no clue. Hermione shrugged to herself. Maybe they'll figure it out somehow…but she kind of doubted it.

"Hermione, what is that?" asked Ginny, as they neared the portrait hole. It was what seemed to be a parchment taped onto the painting.

"Did you see who left this here?" asked Hermione, to the Fat Lady. She shook her head.

"I'm not supposed to tell, it's our little secret," she said, giggling. "But I'll tell you this much, he was awfully cute!"

"I'm sure," said Hermione. Ginny was caught by Colin who started talking about classes so Hermione climbed up through the portrait hole and up to her private bedroom. Prefects do have their perks you know. She opened up the letter.

Still interested. I'm going to push your limits, let's see how far you can stretch.

Still Interested

With the short letter was attached cookies. Hermione breathed in their scent and started to sneeze.

Who the hell is this person? Thought Hermione, furiously. Pepper cookies? How juvenile. Yet that kept her attention as well, and also wanted to keep herself above his level. She took out her favorite sugar quill and nibbled on the end of it, trying to think of a way to confuse him.