A/N: Alright! Lot's of good feedback. Thanks guys!

I want to give a shot out to my devoted reader who has been with me since my first fic...

Thanks for the great words Tonks-P-Fan!! This chappie is dedicated to you!

Chapter 5: The Green Monster

Hermione walked fast down the corridor, a prominent scowl on her face. It had been a week since she had spoken more than three words to Draco. They both tried hard to avoid each other in their tower. They still hadn't met on their Head Boy and Girl duties, neither really minding. She barely noticed the form in front of her when she turned the corner, "Argh," she fell back and landed hard on the stone floor and her books spread all around.

"Watch where you're going," said the sharp voice, "You alright Granger?"

Hermione shook to attention and looked up into a set of blue eyes, "Er-, sorry, I was just...thank you Blaise."

Blaise helped Hermione to her feet and proceeded to help her pick up her books, "Wow, that's a first," he chuckled.

Hermione looked at him curiously, "What's a first?"

"Well, you called me by my first name, usually it's my surname, if I am lucky enough for you to talk to me."

Hermione took the remaining books from him and shook her head, "Yeah, well, thanks for helping me pick these up. I need to get to the library." With out another glance she began to walk past him, but her progress was stopped by his hand on her arm.

"Just a minute Granger," she turned back and he smiled, "Guess I should return the politeness, Hermione."

She tried her best to force an annoyed look, but she had a hard time doing so when he was smiling at her. She had never noticed how handsome Blaise Zabini really was. He was in great shape, and he had a very sweet looking face. In the past, just the fact that he was a Slytherin just kept her from realizing his good qualities.

"Listen, Hermione, do you think you could take it a bit easier on Draco?" he asked sweetly, "He really is trying to get into people's good graces, he knows it will be hard, but, well, you really are making it difficult."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "I don't know what you are talking about. I am treating him the way I feel he deserves to be treated. He is a pompous ass Zabini. It's that simple. I am not going to forget that just because he helped bring down Voldemort. We all did are part, he doesn't deserve any more recognition than the rest of us."

Blaise looked at her with, his brow low, "Granger, I think you of all people should treat him with a bit more respect, you owe a lot to him."

Hermione's mouth dropped, "Excuse me, ME? What is that suppose to-"she stopped and took in a long deep breath and let it out slowly, "Look, I really have to go. Goodbye," she turned and he grabbed her arm again but this time she just shook him off and continued walking.

Blaise watched her walk away and spoke quietly to himself, "She's cute when she is angry," and he began his walk back to the dungeons.

------------

"Harry, I would really appreciate it if you weren't all over my sister while I am sitting here, I am really beginning to lose my appetite."

Harry and Ginny laughed at the thought of this actually happening, "Ron, I am not sure that is possible," chuckled Harry.

They were sitting at the Gryffindor table enjoying another superb meal. Hermione was just walking up, a look of exhaustion on her face.

"'Bout time you got here, food's almost gone," stated Harry.

Hermione sat next to Ron who was now fully enjoying a leg of chicken, "I know, I am starving, I had to get the library and find a book for my Muggle Studies project."

"That's not due for another five months!" exclaimed Harry, "Even for you that is jumping the gun."

"Harry, I would think you knew me better than that," at that moment, she looked over at the Slytherin table and noticed Blaise take a seat next to Draco. She rolled her eyes dramatically, "You wouldn't believe what Zabini said to me earlier. He actually asked me to take it easy on Malfoy, says I am being too hard on him. Can you believe it? Him of all people," she griped as she served her self a spoon of potatoes.

"Er- well, maybe he is right," said Ron, "You are giving him a hard time."

Hermione shot him a dirty look, "Really? And why does it matter? It's not like he has a heart, I am not hurting his feelings."

"What is you problem lately Hermione. You are being a real- a real," Harry struggled with his words.

"A real bitch," said Ginny loudly.

Everyone's heads turned to the red head who then turned bright red, "Sorry, but well, it's true Hermione. I mean the guy saved -"

She was cut off by Harry's hand over her mouth, "Saved the Order, yeah, bringing the Slytherin kids over to our side."

Harry, Ron and Ginny looked anxiously at Hermione who was in deep thought, "Yes well, that was decent of him, but his cockiness is uncalled for," she dropped her fork and stood from her seat.

"Hermione, I am sorry I said that I just-"

"No, no, it's alright Ginny. You guys are right, I will try to be a bit more civil, I promise. I am really tired, I am going to get to bed early. I will see you all tomorrow."

She turned and retreated out of the great hall. Harry and Ron's eyes went from Hermione's back over to Ginny's, "I thought we decided to talk to Dumbledore before we brought that up," said Harry.

"I know, I know, I just, she's really pissing me off with this whole thing. I got carried away I am sorry. When are we going to talk to Dumbledore, I mean, it won't be too long before it comes out. What if Malfoy brings it up?"

"I don't think he will," said Ron, "Malfoy seems to decent now to do that," Ron shook his head slowly, "Wow, never in my life would I think I would use the words 'Malfoy' and 'decent' in the same sentence.

----------

"So, you are telling me that Pansy and Weasley are meeting every night in the astronomy tower?"

"That is what Bulstrode told me."

Blaise and Draco were walking through the halls, both full of chicken, potatoes, and puddings.

"Why would she tell you, wouldn't Pansy want her to keep it a secret?" asked Draco.

"Well, I think she has the impression I want to shag her. Where the hell she got that idea, I have no clue but, she is good for gossip."

Draco raised an eyebrow, "You haven't, have you?" he asked with humor.

"Hell no! Sorry, she is a nice girl and all, but, that is just wrong in so many ways Draco. Besides, I think Goyle fancies her. What do you say we do a bit of matchmaking," smirked Blaise.

Draco laughed, "Halloween Ball is next month. I think we can arrange something."

"Speaking of, any idea who you are going to take?" asked Blaise.

Draco shrugged. He hadn't really thought about it much. He had been too preoccupied trying to avoid Hermione, any other female was far from his mind, "Not really, you?"

"Well, I am thinking of asking someone. She is definitely a firecracker, but, I like that. She isn't too bad to look at either," he grinned.

Draco laughed, "Well, I'll be damned, Blaise Zabini has a crush?"

Blaise laughed, "I guess you can call it that, but Granger can be such a prude, I am not sure I could convince her to-" he stopped and realized Draco was no longer walking with him. He turned to see him a few steps back, "What?"

"Granger? Granger Granger? Granger the book worm? That Granger?" he asked dumbfounded.

"Yeah, the only Granger in the school, why?"

Draco held his breath for a moment and then released quickly, "Oh, no reason. Look, I am going to get to the Head's Tower, I will see you later," he turned quickly and retreated the other way.

"Draco, wait, what's the deal," Blaise shouted out to no response, "What's his deal?" he shrugged it off and headed off towards the dungeons.

Draco was unaware of just how fast he was walking. He stopped quickly and realized he had no clue why he was moving so fast. He thought quickly, 'why did that bother me so much. It's not like I like Granger. She has been such a bitch to me. I mean, she hasn't even thanked me for saving her life in June. But, I think she still has a bit of memory loss. No, I can't, it can't be.' Draco whispered to himself, "I can't be jealous, can I?"

A/N: Yes, that is the end of the chapter. Sorry folks. Wanted to get you something before the weekend. Hope you liked it! R&R!!!