Author's Notes: I'm back again, believe it or not, and I've finally found the time to work on this story. The wonders a few snowdays and getting a cold will do for you. I hope you all enjoy the chapter, and forgive me for the horrendous delay in updating!

Cheers!

Later on a fully dressed Hermione raced down her steps and through the common room as if something was chasing her. Blaise who was lounging on one of the sofas picking at his nails smirked as the Gryffindor beauty flew through out the room.

"Where the bloody hell did I put my cloak?" She muttered under her breath looking for the missing article of clothing on the floor and underneath piles of books and parchment.

"Where are you going in such a rush, kitten?" Blaise asked lazily from his seat on the sofa.

Hermione repressed the urge to roll her eyes and rather bluntly said, "I'm meeting up with some friends in the great hall Zabini, not that it's any of your business. And don't call me kitten."

"Now, now don't hiss at me kitten…I'm not the one your mad at." Blaise said putting on an arrogant smirk.

Hermione paused on her warpath. "Alright I know you want me to tell you something, so will you just ask and get this bloody well over with?" Hermione said shooting the pungent boy a venomous glare.

"What exactly are your intentions towards Draco?" Blaise asked while working out a crick in his neck, "He's too sensitive to toy with the way you have been."

"What are my intentions towards Draco?" Hermione sputtered, "If anything that question should be completely reversed. Honestly…"

"Listen kitten." Blaise said standing up and handing her the black cloak that he'd been sitting on, "Just because a person seems as hard as rock doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings. You think that whatever you say or whatever you do means nothing to him, and he thinks so too."

"I don't see the problem then. If he wants to act like he has no heart, fine by me. As long as he can convince the rest of Hogwarts he does."

"Slytherins are different. They show things different. And they expect to be used. Emotions are something of a weakness to us. If you care about something or someone another person will use it against you."

"What are you getting at Blaise?" Hermione snapped.

"You're smart Granger, but you're not clever. Maybe one day you'll understand what I'm getting at, but by then it'll probably be too late." Blaise said stomping out of the room.

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"Watch it ferret-face." Ron said pushing past the blonde Slytherin on his way to the Great Hall for lunch.

Draco paused and put on his best smirk. "What is it that you hate most about me Weasel?" he said slowly, "The fact that I'm better looking than you, that I'm much wealthier than you, or that I don't have to share my table craps with other annoying little creatures?" He added giving Ginny a disgusted glance.

"I wouldn't be jealous of you if you paid me." Ron spat shooting daggers at Draco.

Harry placed a firm grip on Ron's arm. "C'mon." he said in a low voice, "We're going to be late."

"Ah yes," Draco drawled, "Don't want to miss a free meal."

"Take it back." Ron growled closing his eyes.

"What?" Draco said.

"Everything." He hissed lunging on top of the boy.

"Ron!" Ginny screamed, watching her brother and the Slytherin roll around on the floor pummeling each other with punches.

Harry looked around desperately, unsure of what to do. On the one hand, the less he had to do with a fist fight, the better, but on the other hand he couldn't just walk away from his friend. He caught Ginny's eye and gave her I-have-no-idea-what-to do-look and she rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's helplessness.

"Ron!" came a gasp from the end of the corridor. "Draco!"

Harry and Ginny both looked down the length of the hall to see Hermione rushing forward. "Are you two honestly wizards?" she growled at the pair, quickly sending a stunning spell towards the Draco/Ron ball.

It hit Ron and Draco stood up, brushing the dirt off his robes. "Thank you Hermione." He said, giving her a very meaningful glance.

"You're welcome." She said breathily, trying to imitate the voice of a girl besotted.

"I should go to the Hospital Wing, get something for these bruises." He said gingerly.

"Alright." She said reluctantly. "Will I see you tonight?"

"Of course." He said with a half smirk, half grin turning down the corridor to go to the Hospital wing.

"Another thing!" Hermione called to his retreating back. "Twenty points from Slytherin for fighting!"

"Hermione?" asked Ginny gingerly glancing at her stunned brother on the floor… "Did you just flirt with Draco Malfoy?"

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Remus Lupin was friendly by nature, and observant by habit. He couldn't help but compliment Severus on the fact that he was looking particularly well groomed during lunch. He wasn't in his normal black billowing robes, but black velvet robes even more constricting and prudish, and lined with green silk. His long black tresses were tied back with a ribbon, a style worn by only the most elegant sort of pureblood men. Severus's teeth seemed whiter, and his skin pinker and healthier, giving Remus the impression that he might have used a rejuvenating charm.

It wasn't like the stern Professor to be vain, or to care about his appearance at all.

"Minerva." He said sternly approaching the older Gryffindor, "A word if you will."

Annoyed to be interrupted from her conversation with Madame Hooch about the prospects of the Gryffindor first years on the Qudditch pitch, she huffed but followed him.

When they were outside of the doors and the prying eyes and ears of the students and faculty having their lunch Remus dove in for the kill.

"Minerva," he said slowly as if addressing a rather dim young child, "You didn't happen to mention our little conversation to anyone, did you?"

"Me?" the elder Professor asked, clearly annoyed, "Why I've been as silent as the grave on the subject."

"That gives little consolation to me." Remus said with a roll of the eyes. "In the wizardering community, the grave doesn't have to silence anyone. There are such things as ghosts after all."

Minerva harrumphed, but denied nothing.

Remus glared. "What did you say to him McGonagall?"

She gave him an icy look, "Oh nothing to get your knickers in a twist over, honestly Remus. I simply happened to hint to Severus that someone might have a crush on him. Is that too incredibly terrible?"

"When one tells someone something in confidence," Remus hissed stressing the last word, "One hopes that someone will understand just what the word confidence means!"

Minerva rolled her eyes. After a moment of silence she said, "He did look rather well today didn't he?"

The werewolf couldn't help but crack a smile. "Indeed Minerva, he did."

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The tea was awkward to say the least. After Hermione had blushed and giggled at Ginny's accusation, an attempt at acting that no one had believed, and Ron had been roused, a tension had fallen on the group. Harry and Ginny both surprised and concerned over what they had seen transpire between the pair, were eager to get away from Hermione so they would discuss what they were to do about the matter.

What exactly had been going on in Hermione's head was the thing that perplexed Harry the most. He wasn't an idiot. He knew that Hermione would never just go with a bloke for his looks. It was personal merits that truly counted to her; she detested the very idea of judging people because of their exterior beauty.

If Harry was pressed, well more than pressed, he would admit to understanding why so many girls at his school were so fixated on his nemesis. He was very erm..pleasing on the eyes. But Hermione would never be one of those girls who would fancy someone just because he was rich and handsome…would she?

Then again, how was he supposed to know? He was no Casanova when it came to women. Good thing he had Ginny.

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"So 'Arry, 'Ermione, Ginny, Ron, 'ow's everythin' at 'Ogwarts been since I been away?" Hagrid enquired, gently placing a plate heaving with rock cakes on the table.

"A bit more quiet than I'm used to I'll admit." Harry said.

Ginny gave Hermione a meaningful glance. "Things are getting a bit more interesting though." She said.

"Maybe for you." Ron protested, "But you've had fewer adventures than us. We're not used to going a year without getting ourselves almost killed."

They all chuckled somewhat and then a silence fell over the group.

"So Hagrid," Hermione finally said, "How was France?"

"Delightful as usual." Hagrid grunted.

"And Madam Maxime?" Harry asked slyly.

Hagrid blushed scarlet, "Olympee's just fine don you bother yourself 'bout it."

The four students laughed.

"I love France." Hermione said smiling broadly.

"The Malfoys' own a chateau there, don't they?" Ginny interjected.

"What's that got to do with anything?" Hermione asked sharply.

"Just my own curiosity." Ginny drawled. "Isn't that right Hagrid?"

"They's got a house in Wales and Italy as well I 'spects, but they don really use em. Last I heard Mrs. Malfoy was under house arrest." Hagrid told them.

"There's one woman I wouldn't want for a mother-in-law." Ginny stated in matter of fact voice.

"Why so aggressive Ginny?" Hermione asked tartly.

"Why so defensive Hermione? Ginny shot back.

"I can't be bothered with this right now." Hermione growled, "I've got homework to do, and a ball to plan. I'll see you later. Hagrid, it's good to have you back."

As soon as she was gone Hagrid turned towards the remaining three students with a solitary brow raised. "Any of you lot wanna explain what exac'ly that was 'bout?"

Author's Notes: Again, sorry for the lonnnggg delay in updates, but this story was temporarily put on the back burner for the rest of my life. It can be crazy at times, but, what are you gonna do?

Before I forget, please review.