Chap 3

All Hermione's mind could come up with was 'get out'. She had to get away. She didn't know where she was going but she had to get out of the Great Hall. It didn't matter where she went, she just had to leave. It felt like someone had taken a chain-saw to her beating heart. Hermione was sure she was dying; there was no way this much pain wouldn't kill her. She couldn't breathe; she couldn't see anything but Draco and Pansy.

Hermione finally made it past the Great Hall doors and ran. She wasn't sure where she was headed, all she knew was she had to run. She ended up in the Astronomy tower; she stared out at the sky wishing to any God that could hear her that she would disappear.

'He kissed her; they had kissed for the world to see. All of the Hogwarts was there, but they didn't care. They had kissed anyways,' Hermione thought in pain.

They kept shouting their love while Hermione fell into her grave. The longer they kissed, the deeper Hermione was buried. Hermione's anger only rose when she realized how upset she was over Malfoy. How could she have let herself fall for him? How could she have actually imagined what life would be with him? Why did she let her hopes get up, when she knew he would never want her? He would never be hers. She'd never know how it felt to be with him, to be caressed by him.

'I'm just the Gryffindor Mudblood to him; I should have known he'd never see me for anything more than that. But NO, I had to go and play fairy tale.' Hermione did the only thing she could think of…she screamed. She screamed, cried, jumped and pounded. Moments later, when she was too empty to feel anything else, she stopped and felt a bit better.

"Are you done yet?"

"Am I done? AM I DONE? What if I'm not done? WHAT THEN?" Her eyes were dark with anger; they'd cause anyone with their right mind to run.

"Well don't let me stop you from yelling, please continue."

"RON, just go away. LEAVE me the fuck alone!"

Ron just smiled. This made Hermione get riled up even more. 'What is he smiling about? Does he think this is funny? Wait...why is he up here?'

"Ron what are you doing here?"

"Apparently I'm watching my best friend, the supposed smart one of the 'golden trio', yell and rant like a 2 year old over Draco Malfoy," Ron answered her in an amused tone.

Hermione couldn't remember the last time Ron had smiled that big. But it didn't make sense. Hermione had expected him to be off the walls in anger.

"What?! What are you talking about Ron?" Hermione asked, confused.

"You know very well what I'm talking about," Ron replied, his smile widening.

"No, I don't," Hermione said, her impatience coming through.

"You are into Malfoy. Wow! I never thought the day would come that it would happen. I guess all the years of fighting have gotten boring." With that Ron couldn't help it anymore and laughed hysterically. He looked like a crazed red-headed lunatic.

"What do you find so funny?" Hermione said as she thought, 'If he came here to laugh at me then he better just leave…WAIT he knows?????'

"I don't like Malfoy! You're nuts," she stated adamantly.

In between laughs, Ron said, "Don't…lie to me. I know you too well."

"I'm not lying," she argued. 'This isn't good. But he seems ok with it…'

"Yes, you are. Come on! You practically flew out of the Great Hall when pug faced Pansy kissed him, and you've been staring at him for weeks now," Ron explained.

"I did not run out of there. Wait, I have?" Hermione questioned. She didn't realize she was that obvious.

"Well it's not like you were noticeable. I just know you too well, and you're like my sister. It's the same with Ginny. No matter how many times she says she's over Harry, it's obvious she isn't," Ron laughed like it was the most understandable thing in the world.

"Oh," was Hermione's reply.

"That's it? Come on Hermione I bet you can say something else."

Hermione looked at her best friend and was overcome with embarrassment. "I don't want to talk about it."

"So I'm guessing you haven't told Malfoy how you feel, and right now you are exploding with jealousy, right?" Ron said as he smiled at Hermione.

"Wrong. Why would I be jealous?" Hermione said, still trying to deny her feelings.

Ron laughed again before saying, "Because you want him and he was kissing Parkinson like there was no tomorrow."

"Can we PLEASE not talk about that bitch?" Hermione exploded. 'Damn can't he just drop it? When did Ron get so good at figuring out things?'

"Jealous," Ron teased.

"Fuck off!" Hermione responded.

"Slytherin has been rubbing off on you, has he?" Then, out of nowhere, Ron started laughing again. Hermione was sure he needed to check into St. Mungo's.

"And what exactly is so funny now?"

"The thought little Malfoy's and Granger's running around," Ron said between laughs.

Hermione looked at him incredulously. "Ron you need help, there is nothing between me and Malfoy."

"Not as of yet, and that's only because you haven't fessed up."

"And how do you expect me to "fess up"?

"I'm not sure…whatever it is you girls do so we know you're interested. I don't know; bat your eyelashes or something." Now she was sure Ron needed to be checked into the hospital, as he was batting his eyes uncontrollably.

"I will do no such thing. It doesn't matter anyway. He's with Pansy and I have decided to forget him. So he can do whatever his ferret brain tells him to."

Ron decided to resign and said, "Ok Hermione; whatever you say. Come on. We have to leave or we'll be late for Potions."

Hermione realized the time and agreed. "Yea, you're right. I have to go to my room first to get my things."

"I'll walk with you," Ron said, offering a hand to Hermione.

"Thanks" Hermione replied, grateful she had Ron as her friend. 'What a day now all I needed is for Snape to decide he has to ruin my life today as well.'

It was the fifth time Draco had brushed his teeth, but he could still taste the Slytherin slut in his mouth. It was disgusting! He reached for the mouthwash and gargled more than really needed; and then continued to brush his teeth for the sixth time. It had taken him time to respond when the girl had flung herself on him, but by the time he had finally separated their lips, it was too late. Hermione had seen them and had run off. He had gotten a glimpse of her face and she had never looked that angry. The only thing that brightened his day was the thought that she was jealous. But then the Weasel ran after her so he couldn't follow her to explain. He'd taken out his anger at the slut still attached to his arm. He'd pulled her out to the main hall and had gone off completely on the little bitch. He couldn't believe she had done that so no other girl would flirt with him. She was mental!

Flashback

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Draco raged, looking at Pansy but looking for a glimpse of Hermione or the Weasel.

"Nothing, my Drackie poo. I was just showing you how much I love you," Pansy cooed at him.

Draco's anger swirled around him and he yelled, "NEVER EVER touch me again Pansy!! You make my stomach turn!"

Pansy pouted at his words but said, "No I don't. I know you love me. And I HAD to; I had to let all those girls know you were mine."

"That's just it, Pansy. I'M NOT!!!!" Draco was sure he had never been this angry with her before today.

"But..." Pansy started. Trying to look innocent. It didn't work.

"But nothing! Keep your lips, and all other body parts, away from me!"

End flashback

Now it was over. Everything was down the fucking toilet.

'Hermione saw the stupid kiss and she'll probably never come near me again. I'm back to square one. Bloody hell, why did I ever sleep with Pansy?'

Draco was known for being the sex God and it wasn't for nothing. He had gotten around during his years at Hogwarts. The only problem was that now that he actually wanted someone, he was having trouble getting her; and he was not used to not getting what he wanted.

How can I get her to trust me again? Draco thought.

'Talk to her; be nice' answered that annoying voice. Draco was coming to think of his "soft side."

She won't listen; she's too stubborn, he thought.

'Look who's talking'

Shut up! He argued back.

'I'm you!!! So I can't shut up'

"I've lost her, and now I've lost my mind," Draco said aloud.

'No on the first one and maybe on the second.'

"UGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH" Draco yelled.

"Draco? Are you all right in there?" Hermione was standing in the bathroom doorway with her eyebrow raised. Draco noticed her eyes were puffy, but the rest of her was calm like nothing had happened. What he didn't see was that inside she was ready to burst.

"Yea I'm fine. Are you all right? Your eyes are all red. Have you been crying?" He moved to cup her face, but she backed off. The pain this caused him showed in his face.

"Um...I have to go because unlike you, Gryffindors can't be late to Potions class." Hermione said in an attempt to get away.

Draco was not going to be put off that easily and said, "Well then skip it. I need to talk to you."

"Ok. Sure!!! I'll just sit here in the bathroom with you so you can talk to me about how pretty you are." Hermione rolled her eyes and walked out. But Draco wasn't letting her go. He followed her into her room.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? Get out of my room, you ferret!" Hermione yelled when she saw she was being followed.

"Oh, so we're insulting again?" Draco said with a deflated voice.

"Whatever. Just leave," Hermione said, a little more gently.

"No. I need to talk to you about what happened today during breakfast." Draco said.

"I don't understand what that has to do with me?" Hermione said, trying to sound brave. Why did her life suck? What had she done? Couldn't she just get away from him?

Draco sighed and said, "Because...I want to explain. We're not together."

"Ok, so you're just fuck buddies. I don't understand what this has to with me," Hermione said, her pain coming through her words.

"WE ARE NOT FUCK BUDDIES!" Draco answered angrily.

"Malfoy, I really don't care" Hermione said putting on a brave face. She knew if she didn't leave she'd break down. This was taking all her energy and she was running low already.

"I didn't kiss her," Draco said, as if that was all the explanation needed.

Obviously Hermione did not agree and she said, "Ok and I'm not here."

"I'm not joking, Hermione," Draco said more forcefully.

"Neither am I Draco," Hermione responded, matching his tone.

Draco was losing his patience. "STOP IT!"

"You bloody stop it. You seem to have missed my point. I DON'T CARE WHO YOU'RE WITH, YOU CAN BE WITH SNAPE FOR ALL I CARE. I DON'T CARE WHO YOU'RE WITH JUST LIKE YOU DON'T CARE WHO I'M WITH SO JUST DROP IT!" Hermione ranted, stomping around her room.

Draco was taken aback by her words. "That was bloody nasty and what do you mean who you're with?"

"Let me explain in ferret terms," Hermione replied, sarcastically.

But suddenly Draco understood. "You're with the weasel!"

"WHAT? Just yesterday you thought I was with Harry! You've lost the little sense you owned," Hermione replied.

But Draco would not be deterred. "Answer me! Are you with the Weasel?"

'I should say yes. If he's this upset then that would completely piss him off. I should so do it. But, Ron…I can't do that to him, he's been trying to ask Lavender out since 5th year. I'd ruin his chances with her now that they were getting close.'

Draco took her silence as confirmation. "You are! That's why you won't answer me. There are going to be little red-headed Hermione's running around.

That was it! Hermione couldn't help but laugh. That had to be the funniest thing she had ever heard; little red headed Hermione's! She just couldn't believe he had accused her of being with both her best friends in less than 24 hours. It was odd.

Hermione's laugh seemed to have defused the situation. "I am not making babies with either one of my friends. Do you have a fever?"

"No. I don't. I'm better now. So you're not with the Weasel? Or Scar face?" Draco said, taking a deep breath.

"No I A-M N-O-T with A-N-Y-O-N-E. Did you get that?" Hermione explained, slowly.

Draco couldn't answer. He couldn't think. It was just a feeling of complete happiness. He wondered if a little rainbow had shown up over his head. He felt like he could fly without a broom.

"Well, now that you've lost the skill to speak, I shall be going to the library," Hermione said, trying to brush past him.

But Draco found his voice in time to say, "Wait, I thought you were going to Potions."

"Well, look who can talk! No, I obviously can't show up 15 minutes late with just any excuse. So I'll just not go and say I was sick or something."

"I'm not with Pansy," Draco said in a quiet voice, looking at the floor.

"This AGAIN?!" Hermione said, exasperated. 'Great, here he goes again. Could it be true? Maybe he isn't. THEN WHY WOULD HE KISS HER???? STOP LYING TO YOURSELF'

But Draco was not going to let her out of the room without making her see the truth. "I swear, Hermione. She jumped me. It took me a while to react and, well, my mind was elsewhere. I haven't been with Pansy since fifth year. Please you have to believe me."

And, for some unexplainable reason, she did. She had no idea why, but she did! It went against everything her mind was telling her, but her heart…that stubborn little thing told her to believe him…and she did.

"I believe you, ok?" Hermione responded, softly.

"No, you really have to believe me." Draco had walked up to her. They were face to face. She could smell toothpaste coming off of him. Now she couldn't even think of what to say. 'What had he said? He's too close, I can't breathe. Oh my, we're in my room, I so forgot that. I need to put some distance between us, this is too close.'

"Hermione did you hear me?" Draco asked.

But all Hermione could do was think. 'O God now he's touching me, he has such strong hands....'

Draco had put his hands on either side of her arms. This had been the most he'd ever touched her, and bliss wasn't a big enough word to describe his feeling. He just wanted to rap his arms around her and never let her go. She had to be his. He wouldn't delay it anymore. It was now or never…