A/N: I see you all liked that little cliffhanger I left for you guys...hehe...I enjoyed reading the reviews. I doubt you guys are on the edge of your seats but, here we go...

Chapter 7: Jealousy

"Well..." Hermione's eyes moved over to the Slytherin table where she saw Draco's face in his hands. Draco knew what Blaise was doing, and he didn't look too pleased about it. Draco dropped his hands and their eyes met for longer than either intended.

"Um, Hermione?" Blaise waved a hand in front of her face breaking her connection with Draco.

Hermione shook her head slowly and closed her eyes. She opened them and looked back to Blaise, "Can I get back with you on that? I need some time, you know, to think about it."

The smile on Blaise's face faltered for a moment, but turned back up, "Not a problem, take your time," he took her hand in his, "I hope you will say yes," he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly.

Ron choked slightly on his orange juice. Soft giggles emitted from Ginny and Lavender which quickly stopped with a quick glare from Hermione.

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"I am sure she will say yes, well, no, she will, I am sure of it," Blaise looked over at Draco who was pouring his dragon's sweat into his cauldron, "why are you so quiet, mate?"

It took a moment for Draco to realize he was talking to him. He had done his best to not hear a word Blaise had been saying, "Huh? What? Oh, um, just concentrating, sorry."

Blaise raised a curious eye at Draco, "What is up with you lately, Draco. You have been acting really strange."

Draco continued stirring his ingredients in his cauldron, "It's nothing. I have just had my mind on N.E.W.T's, that's all. And my Head Boy duties are taking up some time as well," with out realizing it, Draco's eyes moved over to the table where Hermione and Lavender were working on their assignments.

Blaise caught this, "Draco, do you have a thing for Granger?" he whispered.

"What? No! Why would...what makes you...that's just stupid," he replied with a nervous laugh.

"Right, well, then, you don't mind that I asked her to the ball then?" asked Blaise.

Draco hesitated and shook his head, not saying another word. Blaise hit his back playfully, "Great, well," Blaise poured a sample of his potion into a small vile, "I will see you at dinner than."

He cleared out his cauldron with a flick of his wand, grabbed his bag and took his work up to Professor Snape.

Draco glowered at his back, mad at himself for being so jealous of him. He refused to believe that he himself truly liked Hermione. But it was becoming harder to deny everyday.

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Hermione entered the portrait hole to see Draco lounging in front of the fireplace, "Hey, I didn't see you at dinner, so I thought I would bring up some food for you."

With out moving his eyes from the fire, he grunted a soft, "Thank you."

Hermione looked curiously and moved over to him. She put down the tray of food in front of him and sat in the chair next to him, "Could you believe that horrible potion we had to brew today? It smelled like old, moldy socks," laughed Hermione. Draco gave a small nod and grunt. Hermione continued, "I don't know how anyone expects that to be able to cure hiccups. I certainly wouldn't drink it."

Another grunt emitted from Draco. Hermione felt her frustration rise, "Malfoy, can I ask you a serious question?"

This got a bit more attention, but he hid it from her, "What?" he asked sternly.

"Look, if you are going to give me an attitude, forget it," said Hermione.

Draco sat up and looked at her, "what do you need to ask?" he asked more politely.

Hermione fidgeted abit, "Well, er, Blaise asked me to the Ball and-"

Draco rolled his eyes, "So?"

"What is your problem?" asked Hermione, her anger rising.

"I don't have a problem," said Draco as he folded his arms over his chest.

"I think you have a major problem. You have been a major ass today, ever since this morning...you knew he was asking me didn't you?"

Draco hesitated and then nodded, "I tried to stop him, I knew he was going to make an ass out of himself."

"What makes you think he did," Hermione asked as she stood.

Draco stood as well, "Look, go to the bloody Ball with him, I really don't give a damn. It's none of my business."

"You know what," said Hermione softly.

"What?"

"I think you're jealous," grinned Hermione.

"Excuse me? I don't think so, why would I be jealous. You're just a...a..."

"A what?" asked Hermione as she folded her arms.

Draco glared at her. He hated that he was being such an ass, but he would not admit to being jealous. He didn't mean to, and he would regret it right away, but he could not hold the words back, "You're nothing but a filthy mudblood and if Blaise wants to embarrass himself with you by his side that is his problem not mine."

The room was deadly silent. Hermione's eyes were slowly filling with tears, finally she spoke choking on her words, "I really was willing to give you a chance, guess I was right all along. You are a spoiled little brat," she glared at him one last time. She swept past him and into her bedroom, slamming the door shut.

Draco jumped as the door slammed. He hung his head and collapsed back onto the couch. He rubbed his face with his hands, whispering to himself, "You little asshole, what have you done?"

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Draco rose to Hermione opening her bedroom door. He opened his eyes slightly and watched her exit through the portrait hole. He had fallen asleep on the couch, not realizing how tired he was. The house elves that had come during the night, had covered him with a blanked and had cleared the tray of food Hermione had brought up for him the night before. Draco rose and made his way to his bedroom to get ready for classes.

"Hey mate, why didn't you come to dinner?"

Draco took a seat between Goyle and Blaise in the Great Hall, his stomach growling at him, "I got caught up in some homework."

Blaise nodded, "Alright, hey did you see Granger last night?"

"Briefly," muttered Draco has he served himself some bacon.

"Well, she didn't say anything, you know, about me, did she?" he asked hopefully.

Draco shook his head, "I don't recall."

Suddenly, a familiar laugh came from the Gryffindor table. Draco looked up to see Hermione and Ginny talking and laughing, about what, he wasn't sure. He felt a sudden twinge in his stomach as she got up from her seat and headed toward the Slytherin table. He pretended not to notice.

"Good morning, all," she said cheerfully. This was met with a few 'heys' and 'what's up.' Draco however didn't say anything and continued on his bacon and eggs.

"Good morning, Granger," said Blaise, "sleep well last night?"

"Very well, thank you Blaise," Hermione smiled, "I need to get to Arithmancy, but I just wanted to let you know, I would love to go to the Halloween Ball with you."

Draco raised his head quickly, his heart beating fast, "You would?" he quickly brought a hand to his mouth, not meaning to say this aloud. He darted his eyes around and went back to his breakfast.

"Er-"Blaise looked curiously over at Draco. He looked back to Hermione, "Great, wonderful, why don't you meet me Saturday, about one, and we can discuss it further."

Hermione nodded, "It's a date," she turned on her heels and headed out the door.

At those three words, Draco felt the sudden urge to be sick.

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A/N: Alright, hope you liked it. It's mediocre. Let me know what you think, R&R!!