Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, but the plot is. A/N: Thank you to all the reviewers again. Animegirl-mika: If you look at the disclaimer for Ch. 1, I already said I spun off my own weird idea from a So Weird episode. Ok, here's the next chapter, hope you like it!

Chapter 4: Chats, Chess, and Unexpected Guests

It was now a week since they had been inside the room, but still Hermione and Draco were no closer to discovering the secret on getting out. They hadn't been arguing quite as much, and now it almost seemed like friendly banter. No other abnormal happenings had occurred, with the exception that they actually seemed to be getting along somewhat reasonably. "You mean to tell me you actually believe that Snape and McGonagall are having a scandalous liaison?" asked Hermione, overwhelmed that Draco could ever think it was true.

"Did you see the way Snape came into class last week? Looking all love-struck and foolish, it was enough to make me sick."

Hermione giggled as she pictured her professors acting all lovey-dovey. "Yes but, how do you know it was because of McGonagall?"

"You heard her slip and almost call him Severus." He began batting his eyelashes and said in a high voice, "Oh Sevvie my sweetheart, I can't wait until the day when we can reveal to the whole world our undying love for each other."

Hermione burst out laughing at this. "Draco! That has got to be the worst impression of McGonagall ever."

"Yeah, oh well, the point is, those two are having an affair and I know it. I even saw them a few times making puppy-eyes at each other. If I ever fall in love I will definitely NOT act so sickeningly sentimental."

"You would fall in love?"

"Hey, well at least I'm not in love with one of my best friends."

"What? I am not."

"Uh huh, yeah, sure."

"You don't believe me? Harry and Ron are just really good friends, that's all."

"Yeah, whatever you say Granger."

"I'm telling you, I don't like them like that!"

"Ok, you just keep telling yourself that."

"Do you know that you are utterly exasperating." Hermione said as she made herself comfortable on the couch.

"Yeah I know," he replied with that well-known smirk on his face.

Meanwhile, the rest of the student body was cheerful because classes were over for the holiday and Christmas was quickly approaching. The only thing on everyone's mind seemed to be the upcoming ball. There would be a Hogsmeade trip the week before and all the girls were worrying about what to wear, how to do their hair, and anything else they'd need to make the Christmas Ball a night to never forget. Many had also been wondering what kind 'secret assignment' Dumbledore had sent Hermione and Draco on. Pansy, on the other hand, was worrying where Draco really was and if he'd go to the ball with her when he got back. She knew the rings had something to do with his disappearance, but she didn't want to tell anyone for fear she would get into trouble. However it didn't seem to trouble the teachers, so maybe she didn't have to be concerned.

"You know what I realized?" Hermione began "The only other disadvantage to being in this room besides you being here too, is that there is absolutely nothing to do!"

"Well...I can think of a few things...." he said with a sly grin.

Hermione chose to ignore this comment. "There has got to be something to pass the time. Oh, I know! Accio wizard's chess"

"You play chess?" Draco inquired.

"Well. Not usually, but can you think of anything else to do?"

"I see your point" he responded as he set up the chessboard.

"Why are you being so, I don't know, freakishly nice all of a sudden?"

"Well, Hermione, I don't know which has contributed more to my apparent insanity, being forced to spend my time with you, or just sheer boredom."

After about five games, and more amicable conversation, Hermione asked Draco a question that had been plaguing her mind. "Do you think we'll ever get out of here?"

"Well, I certainly hope so because I don't plan on spending the rest of my life in a room with a mud…" He started, but it was too late, he had slipped.

Hermione looked like she had failed every single subject, except five times worse. This faded as soon as it had come though, and was replaced with fury. "Augh! You're IMPOSSIBLE. You never will get over that will you? I should have known it was way too good to be true. It was silly of me to think that you could actually be agreeable for once. But I don't think I'll make that mistake again" she said before running to the bathroom and locking the door behind her.

"Granger" he shouted after her. He went to the door and knocked on it. "Come on Granger, you know I didn't mean it. Ok, look, Hermione I'm sorry ok." 'Jeez, who would have thought I'd ever be apologizing to her?' "Alright, fine, stay in there, see if I care." Draco stalked back over to where he was sitting and slumped down on the couch annoyed at what had just happened. 'Why should I care if she's upset. I shouldn't. In fact, I don't. Or do I? We were kind of getting along before, who knew? Ah what is wrong with me? Why do I not want her mad it me? Is it just because she's the only person I've seen in a week? Why does this have to be so bloody confusing?'

Hermione too was wondering what was wrong. 'Why does he have to be such a prat? He was being surprisingly nice, but I should have known better. He's a Malfoy, he can never change.' But what surprised and annoyed her most was when a few tears dripped down her cheek. She wiped them away frustrated that his hurtful words could make her cry.

Hermione waited until she was positive Draco was asleep before coming back out to the main room. It was amazing how he could look so angelic while he was sleeping, but in reality it was a selfish, mean, deceitful, evil person. Ok, maybe she was over reacting a little bit, but she believed she had every right to. Deciding she'd rather not think about it anymore, she turned her couch toward the wall, lay down, and fell asleep. The next day she woke up early and locked herself in the bathroom again. She just had no desire to talk to him yet.

Later that day Draco tried to talk to her. "Hermione, open the door. Come on, Hermione I really have to go to the bathroom. God damn it Granger" he shouted and banged his fist against the door. A slightly startled Hermione emerged, pushed past him and went back to her couch. After a full day of ignoring each other, Draco was fed up. 'Who does she think she is, ignoring a Malfoy. I made a stupid mistake, so what?' Two days later he finally overcame his pride and confronted her. While she was walking past him he grabbed her wrist and said "Look Granger." She tried to move out of his way but wouldn't let go. "Hermione, can you stop being so damn stubborn and just listen to me."

"Fine" she replied "but hurry it up"

"Why have some where important to be?"

"Malfoy," she said in a warning tone.

" Ok, ok, I know I hurt you..."

"No you didn't."

"Whatever, I know I made you 'upset', but that's the way I've been brought up. It's the way I am. I've been trying to make the best of this situation, but I slipped and you'll have to deal with it."

"Oh, that's a nice apology."

"Well, you're not making it any easier. Fine, I'm sorry. You happy now?"

"I guess so."

"Good." Their rings were now glowing a bright purple color. Draco then realized he was still holding her wrist and he abruptly dropped it, the both of them blushing. But before either of them could say something, the chess pieces that were laying on the floor began to move and seemingly form a pattern. When they stopped moving the two students went over to look at what it was and were astonished to see that it was a smiley-face.

"What on earth is going on here Draco? Who's doing this?" asked a dumbfounded Hermione.

"I wouldn't be too worried about it, whatever it is obviously isn't bad. I mean come on, a smiley-face? What is that about?"

"I don't know, but don't you find it the least bit disturbing."

"Yeah, I guess so, but it must have a sense of humor. Wait a minute, maybe whatever it is can help us figure the way out of here." Draco looked up at the ceiling above where the chess pieces were. "What do you want from us? Can you help us." The only response was the stillness of the room and Hermione's soft chuckling. "What may I ask is so funny?" he asked with a mixed look of irritation and humor across his face.

"Well, you" she replied bluntly.

"Oh yeah you think that was funny" he said walking closer to her. "Actually I do." However, before he could come up with a witty response, a rat came scurrying from the kitchen. Hermione shrieked and held onto Draco, causing him to raise his eyebrows. The rat scampered around the room before returning from where it came from. "Granger, Granger, how many times MUST I say this? I am unquestionably aware of my remarkable charm and attraction, but do you honestly have to grab me at every chance you get. I know it'll be difficult but try to restrain yourself from now on." He said smirking at her actions.

Hermione looked at her hands tightly clutching the front of his robes and felt her face flush with embarrassment. She quickly recovered, and then decided to turn the tables. "Oh, yes I know, but I just couldn't contain my desire any longer." The smirk was wiped right off of Draco's face and he stared at her in astonishment.

"What? You're not the only one that can make a joke once in a while. Now let's go eat something, I'm starving." She said while walking into the kitchen, leaving Draco standing there slightly amused by her unexpected remark.

A/N: Ok, wow, I can't believe I'm already up to chapter 4, this is going faster than I expected. Plzzz review, they give me inspiration haha. Thanks to all the help from Susamina, go read her fic!! It's called Slythindor and it's really good!