Chapter 22: Just a little game.

Oh my gosh guys thank you SO much for all of your REVIEWS!!!! I haven't gotten this many reviews for a chapter EVER!!! And I fully intend to reply to every single one of them.

So, here are your answers:

bombshell: I couldn't remember if I replied to your review last time so I'll reply here now. Thank you so much and I am updating now, in fact.

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ILUVRONWEASLEY: I had my Japanese exam today at school :P. Anyhow . . . yeah, romance scenes . . . the most beautiful scenes to read, but the hardest to write. I'm glad you think I did a good job . . . I was really nervous about it.

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Trixie: thanks for that . . . and yeah, beta . . . I gotta do that.

riley: . . . roger that. I'm so sorry this wasn't very soon. Please don't kill me!

Sorry this chapter took so long guys. I was so busy with exams and things like that. Judging from your reviews, you seem to be dying to hear about the aftermath of the almighty admissions. It will be interesting, don't worry about that.

DISCLAIMER: Let's see . . . what do I own . . . I must establish that in this actual story, I do own Kedua's. That illness was made up completely by me. I also own a jar of Nutella I bought, unwisely, for myself. I shan't be doing that again.

Right . . . let's get cracking.

Hermione sat down at the dinner table, replaying a conversation that had taken place between her and Malfoy in her head:

FLASHBACK

'Can other people find out?' asked Malfoy concernedly.

Hermione cocked an eyebrow at him, pointing a wand at her hair, in order to make it look not quite so messed up. 'What do you think?' she asked.

Malfoy smiled slightly. 'Yeah . . . I'm sure Potter and Weasley would do their nut.'

'Harry and Ron? Malfoy, that's the LEAST of my worries.'

'What?'

'Well, what about you? You have a family, an entire life, that fights against everything that I am. Part of the good side, muggle-born, personal friend of Harry Potter. If Harry and Ron found out, they'd yell, they'd scream, they'd carry on, but they'd get over it, for me. Your family would kill you.'

Malfoy nodded in recognition. 'Point taken. But Bellatrix is going to tell my father about me coming to your defence. The damage has already been done. He hasn't come after me yet, has he?'

'Bellatrix Lestrange is currently lying unconscious. I highly doubt your father is going to be able to get that information from her.'

Malfoy laughed slightly, and Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. 'What's so funny?'

'Listen to us,' he replied. 'We're arguing like an old married couple. I'd stop, except you're almost irresistible when you're slightly exasperated.'

Hermione blushed slightly. 'All right. Let's just settle this. We don't tell anyone, and leave it at that. OK?'

'Fine.'

END FLASHBACK

'Hey Hermione,' Harry and Ron both said, sitting down next to her. 'Did you manage to figure out that spell?'

'Yeah. Malfoy gave me a real hand in it,' replied Hermione, doing, she thought, an excellent job at acting as though it was a perfectly normal activity, rather then her version of a countries ultimate revolution.

'Cool,' they replied, helping themselves to food.

'What about you two?' she asked, suddenly remembering that they'd returned from the hospital wing the night before, but had been ordered straight to bed, so she couldn't talk to them after returning from the quiet room.

'We're fine, fit and ready to tackle those Ravenclaws,' Ron replied. 'See the Slytherins? They're looking envious.'

Hermione glanced over at the Slytherin table, and yes indeed, they were all looking daggers at the Gryffindor table. Susie, Hermione noticed, was being held back by Edward. Probably a good thing too, as Susie would probably knock half their blocks off before they hard a chance to realise what was happening.

'It's Tuesday, isn't it?' Harry asked.

'Yeah,' Hermione replied.

'So we have 4 days to avoid their curses,' Ron said quietly to himself.

'If you want I can make sure they don't try to hurt you lot again, if you want,' Hermione replied.

'Can you?' asked Harry. 'How can you possibly do that?'

'I have my ways,' said Hermione secretly.

Harry and Ron looked at each other questioningly.

After dinner Hermione was about to walk over to the Common Room so she could work on some homework, but a hand caught her and dragged her out of everyone elses view.

'Hey Hermione.'

'Edward. Hi.'

'Hello. Um . . . I need to ask you something.'

'Sure. Go ahead.'

'OK. Well . . . I had a dream the other night. And you were in it. What happened was, I was discussing something with you, and you suddenly fainted, and you vanished.'

'Right . . .' Hermione was unsure as to where this was going. It seemed very dream-like. You can't apparate within Hogwarts . . .

'Well . . . I just need to ask you, that if that does actually happen . . . what should I do?'

Hermione found this a very strange question indeed. 'Well . . . you fetch Harry and Ron and perhaps Malfoy, since he's the only one who can wake me up, and tell them what happened, and anything you may have heard me say. Is that all right?'

'I suppose' replied Edward.

'Why do you ask this? Do you think your dream may come true?'

'It might. I've seen things like this before in my dreams.'

With that Edward left, with Hermione staring after him. Hermione headed up the stairs, slightly dazed. What a bizarre meeting.

After lessons Hermione went down to the Gryffindor Common Room, to find Ron and Harry staring at her upon entrance.

'What?' she asked. 'What is it?'

Harry and Ron both reclined their heads. Hermione followed their gaze and saw a tawny owl flying around in the common room.

'You got a letter,' said Ron. 'It's from your dad. Since when could he send mail via. Owl post?'

Hermione took the envelope from the owl, which flew back out of the window promptly, turned around and sighed. 'I'm sure he's had the time to learn a great deal of things about the wizarding world,' she answered Ron's question. She opened up the envelope and read the letter from her father.

Hello dear,

How's it going down there? I hope you are enjoying yourself and you're not worrying too much about me. Mrs Heathel's been looking after me, so don't worry about that.

Did you have a good Valentines Day? Was love good to you? Ahh, you don't need to tell me about that.

Anyway, to business. I know you have your NEWT's coming up, but I was wondering if you could perhaps come down for the Easter break. I think we both need a little holiday, and I've discovered the perfect spot. I won't say too much more here. Just write a letter in response saying if you'll come down for the holidays or not.

Love,

Dad.

Hermione read the letter through twice. She was very pleased to read that Mrs Heathel was looking after her. Hopefully she wasn't feeding him too much baklava.

'What's it say Hermione?'

'It says Dad wants me down for the Easter break.'

'Are you going to go?' asked Ron.

'Yeah . . . I think I should. I want to see him as well. See if he's just lying to me about being OK, and so forth.'

'Is he likely to lie?' asked Harry, appearing sceptical behind his glasses.

Hermione laughed. 'No. I just want to make sure, you know? Plus he says he has a special place to take me.'

'Sounds nice,' said Harry, smiling. Hermione grinned back.

At 5 o'clock Hermione went down to the quiet room, hoping to find Malfoy there. She wandered how he was going with keeping the secret. She saw him sitting down on the lounge, facing away from her, reading a book. Hermione grinned and crept up to him. He remained unaware of her presence.

'Boo!' she said, her face mere centimetres away from his.

Malfoy jumped out of the chair and faced Hermione, looking really pissed. 'Don't EVER do that again.'

Hermione pretended to be insulted. 'Like you've never abused my personal space before.'

Malfoy crossed his arms and smirked. 'Yeah, but you liked it.'

Hermione tried to retaliate, but couldn't. She gave up and hung her head slightly in mock shame.

'Q . . . E . . . D.' drawled Malfoy coolly.

Hermione pretended to be hurt. 'You're such a bully.'

'Well duh. I am a Malfoy, aren't I?'

'Clearly. So, what's been happening?'

Malfoy shrugged. 'Nothing really. I'm very bored. I came here and began reading up on Charms hoping you'd come in.

'Aww,' said Hermione. 'That's so sweet.'

'Don't get your hopes up Granger. I'm no gushing romantic.'

'Are too.' Hermione began walking carefully on the spot. She decided to have a little bit of fun. 'See, what's happened is you've fallen for someone completely below the Malfoy standards. The mere thought of this love brings tears to your eyes. You're a sap inside.'

Malfoy crossed his arms. 'Am not.'

'Are too.'

'Am not.'

'Are too.'

'Am not.'

'Fine.' Malfoy didn't have time to look triumphant before Hermione said 'Let's play a game to decide this.'

Malfoy wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly. 'Play a game?'

'Yes. Ever heard of wagers?'

'Of course I've heard of wagers. But never for things like board games. And don't wagers always require money?'

'They don't have to in the muggle world.' Hermione waved her wand at a Wizard chess set, and it came over to where they were standing. 'Here's how it works,' she said. 'Before we play, we lay our bets and terms. Then we play. Whoever loses has to fulfil those terms that the winner originally laid.'

Malfoy furrowed his brow. 'What sort of terms?'

'Anything. You can bet money, things you own, homework favours, dares . . .'

'Dares?'

'Yeah. Like, I could say that if I win, you have to kiss one of those Slytherin boys on the check and tell them you love them.'

Malfoy pulled a face of repulsion, then reconsidered and broke into a mischievous grin. 'Could I make you do that?'

Hermione grimaced. 'You have to tell me that at first, and then win, but yes you could.'

Malfoy looked from Hermione to the chess board, then nodded. 'Seems fair. Let's play.'

Hermione and Malfoy sat down at opposite ends of the chess board, facing each other.

'OK,' said Hermione,' so here's the deal. If I win, you have to admit that you're a sappy romantic who cries at the end of Titanic.'

Malfoy shot Hermione a quizzical look. 'What's Titanic?'

'Never mind,' sighed Hermione, slightly exasperated.

Malfoy nodded. 'Seems fair. If I win . . .'

'Yes?' asked Hermione.

Malfoy raised his eyes to the ceiling, deep in thought. 'If I win, you have to admit that you love me.'

Hermione sighed. 'See? You're already admitting you're a romantic. I told you that last night. Remember? You couldn't unglue your lips from mine, then when you did, you said you reckoned –'

'I don't mean it like that,' Malfoy interrupted. 'I mean you have to make the first move this time. It can't be me.'

Hermione paused, thinking about it.

'You're one of the bravest people I know Granger. But you can also be insecure. So if I win, you have to make the first move. I'm not going to mind. Trust me.'

Hermione rolled her eyes. 'I know you won't, you self-absorbed hormonal pervert.' She felt herself blushing at the idea of making the first move though. She wasn't sure if she could.

'All right,' Malfoy said then, rolling up his sleeves. 'Let's play.'

20 minutes later Hermione had her brow furrowed, trying to a) calm the Pawn that had last been flattened by Malfoy's Knight, and b) think up a good move. Malfoy had had her in check 3 times in the last 5 minutes.

'Are you considering moving yet Granger, or am I to merely sit here and watch my Knight gloat?'

'Shut up.' Hermione made her move, leant back to admire her handiwork, and immediately clapped her hand to her forehead. She'd chosen badly.

'Bad luck Granger,' replied Malfoy. He nudged his Knight again, and it rode forward and hacked Hermione's king'd head off with his sword. 'Checkmate.'

Hermione, in a fit of rage, waved her wand at the set and sent it flying across the room. Malfoy stared at the destruction wide-eyed.

'Ooh, touchy aren't we Granger?' asked Malfoy.

Hermone shook her head and sat down huffily. Something hit her in the head and she shook herself to realise it was a pillow. She jerked her head to see Malfoy sitting where he was before, smiling innocently.

'It's only a game Granger.'

Hermone shook her head at him in a mixture of irritation and defeat. Then she got an idea. She picked up the pillow and stood up, approaching Malfoy, who was still perched arrogantly on his chair, and began hitting him harshly.

'Oi!' he cried, trying to fight from Hermione's mad hitting. 'Stop it!' he batted the pillow back, and it burst open. Feathers flew everywhere. Both of them started laughing hysterically. Malfoy grabbed another pillow and began hitting Hermione back. Both were in hysterics, and began running all over the room, trying to dodge each other, and not succeeding.

Suddenly Malfoy tripped on the table leg and fell right over. Hermione stopped laughing right away, and instead knelt down beside him in shock.

'Are you all right? You fell right over. It looked painful.'

Then she realised that Malfoy was shaking from laughing still.

Hermione sighed, and whacked him one more time in the face with the pillow, spraying more feathers on him.

'Hey!' he cried, trying to wipe the feathers off his face. 'That wasn't fair. You were advantaged!'

Hermione smiled down at him, and removed the last few feathers from where they'd stuck to his hair. 'I think I like you better in the submissive position,' she said. With that, she placed a hand on his other side and pinned him down, so that he couldn't escape. He thrashed around for a while, then relaxed, knowing there was no hope.

'What's this? A Malfoy unable to escape?' Hermione smiled cheekily, knowing she had triumphed.

Malfoy shook his head silently, reached up and tucked a lock of Hermiones hair behind her head. 'What about this? Granger, defeating a pureblood Slytherin? I don't know Granger. I think you're in trouble. You need to be taught a lesson.'

Hermiones smile transformed into a grin. 'Who by? You? No way you'd have the heart. You love me too much.'

Malfoy reached up and wrapped his arms around Hermione's neck. 'Who said all punishment was terrible, Granger?'

Hermione pretended to think about it. 'Hmm . . . well, I think the teachers often try to make detention horrible.'

Malfoy grinned. 'You're on detention then Granger. Your detention tonight is to . . . what's the term used by you half-bloods?'

'I'll tell you.' With that, Hermione leaned down and kissed Malfoy like nothing else mattered. Malfoy returned the favour, but not with as much flare as he usually would. It was the first time he'd been in the submissive position, and he wanted to enjoy the ride, so to speak.

When Hermione finally lifted her head, Malfoy smiled slightly at her, raising his eyebrows.

'What?' asked Hermione, her eyes lit up and sparkling. Malfoy shook his head, and took advantage of Hermione's moment of weakness to sit up.

'You.'

'What about me?'

'You're amazing.'

Hermione flicked her hair back. 'I know.'

Malfoy raised his eyebrows again. 'What's this now? Granger becoming arrogant?'

Hermione stood up and began shaking the feathers off herself. 'I'm spending too much time with you,' she said.

'There's no such thing as spending too much time with a Malfoy,' he replied.

I'm sorry it took me, what, half a year to write this chappie. I was really stuck in a rut with this fic, and I've just written this as something to try and egg myself on a bit. I think I've got the inspiration to continue writing this now. So stay tuned!