I know I haven't updated in a while, but I have been having some problems with my comp. This chapter is SUPER short, but it's better than nothing. By the way, I still don't own Harry Potter. REVIEW!!! Whoever is the 100th reviewer will get a sneak peek at the end of the story!!! I have fixed this chapter because I had forgotten about Hermione's eyes changing color. If you don't remember, reread chapter one! Oh and the reason for her eyes changing was, um just some random thing that happened! A person's eyes really can change color you know. It just doesn't happen often. ON TO THE STORY!!!

Chapter 9- Steel

Hermione lay awake in her bed, lost in her swirling thoughts. It was about 4 in the morning and she hadn't so much as blinked since she had gone to bed.

I feel like we escaped too easily. Maybe they let us go and they're planning something horrible. And isn't Lucius Malfoy supposed to be dead? (AN- Reread chapter one! Hermione said that Lucius Malfoy was dead, remember?) I thought he died when he tried to escape Azkaban! He must have pretended to be dead so the Ministry would stop looking for him.

And what about Draco and I?A smoochie here, a smoochie there; does it mean anything? We are enemies! How could it ever work between us? Do I even want it to work between us? No, but I guess my body does. Why am I so goddamn attracted to him? He is a self absorbed, conceited bastard! But he makes me feel so…

The ringing of her alarm clock interrupted her thoughts. It was seven o'clock. Hermione reached up and switched the annoying ring off. Sitting up, she looked at her reflection. She literally looked like she had been run over by a bus. Her hair was sticking straight out, and her blue-grey eyes had dark circles under them. Damn. It really isn't good to stay up all night after tragic experiences, is it?

After fixing herself up as best she could, Hermione dressed in casual muggle clothes. After all, it was Saturday and there were no classes. Feeling comfortable in jeans and a simple black tank, she walked out into the day.

People didn't send her strange glances, or even talk to her. Apparently no one had noticed she was gone. Hermione sighed and headed outside. As soon as she saw his silver eyes, she braced herself for what she was about to do.

Draco came up to her and touched her arm gently. "Are you okay?" She could see the worry in his eyes and it nearly started tears in her own. She couldn't keep this up. She couldn't stand loving him so deeply and not knowing whether or not it was right. She just needed a nice, safe relationship.

"I'm fine," she said quietly. "Look, Draco, I have to tell you something. I… want you to stay away from me. Don't talk to me. Don't come near me. Don't even look at me." She took a deep breath and forced herself to ignore the pain in his eyes. It took all of her strength to walk away from Draco, but she turned her heart to steel and didn't look back.