A/N: I've been gone for a while, who missed me? OK so here's chapter 24, please don't hate me at the end… REVIEW!

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Muggle Messenger

Chapter 24

As we were walking down to the kitchens, I sneaked a glance at Draco. His eyes were narrowed in concentration and focused on the ground. He didn't say anything about last night. I wondered whether or not to even bring it up and how to go about doing so. After a few moments of pondering, I decided to go with the blunt tactic, "So…umm…I fell asleep on the cough last night and wake up in my bed this morning…"

"No, you fell asleep standing up, leavening against me last night. So I put you in your bed," Draco said, still refusing to look at me.

"Oh yeah, that's right," I strived for a normal tone.

He stopped suddenly, facing me. I looked up at him and was shocked to see cold gray eyes glaring down at me, "It meant nothing."

"What-" I started to ask, but he cut me off.

"Last night meant nothing, Granger," he said, his voice cutting into me like a knife, "And that kiss the other day? I only did it to make Ron mad, and it worked."

I was speechless. Some part of my heart shriveled and died at his words.

He continued his voice like a sharp edge, "The only thing there is between you and me, Granger, other than a lot of money since I'm a pureblood, is hatred." And then he turned around and walked back the way we came, robes billowing out behind him.

I walked into the kitchens in a daze. Ginny and Blaise looked up as I came in. "Where's Draco?" Blaise asked. Suddenly, the wall became very interesting. Blaise walked by me without a word and left the kitchen.

Ginny asked softly, "Hermione, why are you crying?"

It was then that I noticed my face felt kind of damp. A few moments later, I realized that my heart was crying because his harsh words had shattered it.

A/N: Please don't hate me. The reason for Draco's actions is this: remember his dream he had in chapter 18? He doesn't want Hermione to fall in love with him and die at age 22, so he pushes her away. Sigh…poor Hermione…and Draco. REVIEW!!!