I own nothing. AN at the end.

Chapter 3

Hermione sighed deeply, staring down intently at her essay. She really should be writing about the uses and properties of Erumpent horns, tails, and Exploding Fluid for Potions on Monday but she just couldn't seem to pull herself to do it. Her mind was throbbing with pain and she massaged her temples gently, crossing out the 5th word in her essay due to the fact that she had spelt it wrong. Slowly she cast a sidelong and longing glance to the window. It was Friday night, Harry, Ginny, AND Ron all had quidditch practice. Realizing there was no way possible she could do this right now, she stuffed the horribly ink blotted paper back into her book bag and headed upstairs, grabbing a cloak. Maybe some fresh air and seeing Ron, Harry, and Ginny would help clear out her mind. She headed through the portrait of the fat lady and walked through the corridors of Hogwarts, not really noticing were her feet were taking her. Somewhere around the third floor, she heard footsteps behind her and turned around to see who it was. Nothing. She raised a brow and turned back around when a hand clamped down tightly over her mouth. She was pulled into a nearby recess in the wall when she realized whom those pale azure eyes belonged to.

"If I remove my hand Mudblood, do you swear not to scream?"

Hermione debated this for a moment then nodded. Draco smirked, removing his hand.

"What are you doing Draco! Cornering people like that when they don't see you! I have a half a mind to go-"

"Go do what Mudblood? Go tell your silly little head of house that a Slytherin cornered you? A lot of good that's done in the past years…"

Draco chuckled to himself and Hermione's brows furrowed.

"What do you want Draco?"

Hermione's voice came out low, almost like a growl. Draco smirked at her.

"I can't believe someone like you is by yourself on a Friday night. Where's the weasel and scar boy?"

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.

"Harry and Ron are practicing for the next match."

"Which Slytherin will beat them in…"

Hermione rolled her eyes, pressing farther back from Draco. It had just occurred to her how close the two actually were. Draco turned back to her and smiled.

"What?"

"Well, mudblood, I was wondering if you'd come to the concert with me."

Hermione laughed out loud, the noise echoing around them. She turned out and headed for the hallway once more. Draco grabbed her arm and yanked her back in, pressing his hands on either side of her head trapping her.

"You will go with me mudblood or face the consequences. I'd hate to see the Gryffindor team have a few… accidents shall we say… before the match wouldn't you too?"

His eyes were narrow slits as he glared at her. Hermione pushed at his chest, trying to remove him but he was amazingly strong and stayed put. He reached inside his robes, Hermione wincing, afraid he was ready to pull out his wand. However, he pulled out a tiny jar of swirling purple mist.

"Do you know what this is Mudblood?"

Hermione's eyes widened with trepidation.

"It can't be! That's illegal. The ministry banned all…"

"..All of them that they knew about. I have my links Mudblood. I presume you know what this does… I can very easily unleash it on all the of the Gryffindor team members and no one would have the slightest idea."

"You wouldn't."

Hermione growled at him, yet her eyes still held a faint glimmer of fear.

"Let me ask you again, come to the concert with me."

It wasn't really a question but rather a statement. She glared right on back at him; did she really want to know what the Slytherins, what that mist, could do to the Gryffindor team? Besides… what was the worst he could do to her? She'd rather make sure Ginny, Ron, and Harry were safe. Admitting defeat she sighed and nodded slowly. Draco grinned maliciously and Hermione shuddered at it.

"Good. See you tomorrow then."

With that he shoved off the wall and headed right. Hermione looked down to her knees that had seemed to turn to jello from the encounter. She ran her fingers through her hair and headed left, then dashed into a run, tears streaming down her face.

Draco strolled down to the dungeons, stuffing his hands into his pockets and smirking to himself. Very interesting indeed.

"You can come out already Blaise."

There was a moment of shuffling from by him and Blaise appeared, the silver invisibility cloak shimmering softly in the corridors torches shadows. Blaise smirked, hardly able to contain the excitement he was obviously feeling.

"That was, undoubtedly, one of the most brilliant things I have ever seen and I've seen a lot."

Draco chuckled to himself, rather pleased with the outcome himself.

"How much did you see?"

Draco stopped and leaned up against the corridor hallway looking a Blaise.

"What DIDN'T I see is more the question!"

Draco rolled his eyes, laughing.

"I do have a question though…"

Draco stopped laughing, noting the suspicious look on Blaise's face.

"What might that be?"

"What was…"

Blaise neared Draco, who unceremoniously got closer to the wall. Blaise smirked at him and reached inside his robes, pulling out the tiny jar.

"… this exactly?"

Draco laughed, his hand landing hard on Blaise's shoulder.

"Gave me quite the scare there Blaise. This? This is absolutely nothing, she just thought it was something else."

Draco grabbed the jar and opened it up, the purple mist flowing upwards and creating the night sky on the roof before it dissipated into nothingness. Blaise watched with baited interest and returned his gaze back to Draco. Blaise started laughing and shook his head as they turned the corner leading to the Common Room.

"You've got to teach me your tricks Malfoy! If I only had your power…"

Blaise shuddered with excitement. Draco laughed, stopping in front of the Common Room.

"Exactly. If only."

The two laughed and entered.

Hermione felt utterly lost and alone. She had trailed the hallways of Hogwarts for what seemed like hours, tears streaming down her face but when she had finally past the bustling noises of the Great Hall where dinner was still going on and headed outside, not much had changed. The sun had sunk a little lower, the sky darkening and the mountains begging to overcome the castle with their shadows. She trailed along to the Quidditch pitch, climbing up into the stands, nobody noticing her and she didn't notice anyone else in turn. She had sat on the edge of the field's stands, kicking the Slytherin banner as the tears dried on her face.

"Oi! Hermione!"

Ron and Harry glided on down finally having spotted her grinning like fools. She smiled halfheartedly at them.

"How's the training going?

"Oh it's going fine. You should've seen the brilliant Starfish and Stick(1) Ginny did! It was…"

Harry smirked.

"Brilliant?"

"Yeah!"

Ron and Harry smirked at each other, Harry finally busting out laughing and clinging to his broom for dear life. Ron shook his head.

"Anyways, if you'll wait for awhile, I think practice is almost over. Meet us down at the changing rooms?"

Hermione didn't have time to ask because Angelina started yelling at Ron.

"Hit Katie straight in the back it did because YOU AREN'T HERE RON! If you ever want to get serious about playing on this team you'd better GET YOUR ARSE UP HERE!"

Ron gulped and flew upwards to only be reprimanded by Angelina. Harry laughed, looking back to Hermione.

"Well, if Angelina keeps it up, practice is very well indeed over."

Ginny floated down to them, looking at Ron as she passed and began to giggle.

"Guess practice is over huh?"

Harry nodded and looked to Hermione.

"Will you wait outside for us Hermione?"

She nodded and a few minutes later Ginny walked out of the changing rooms, shaking her head sadly. Hermione raised a brow at her.

"Ugh. Don't ask. Harry and Ron aren't going to meet up with us…"

A roar came out from the room as Ginny finished.

"ARGHHH! WHAT IS THAT THING? GET IT AWAY FROM ME!"

This was quickly followed by a huge burst of laughter and Ginny shook her head.

"Anyways… Hermione, what's wrong?"

Ginny rushed ahead of her, making Hermione stop in her tracks.

"Have you been crying?"

Hermione absentmindedly rubbed her cheek.

"Uh yeah…"

Ginny looked absolutely appalled.

"Why? Spill it Hermione."

"Well… uh… Draco Malfoy cornered me on my way down here…"

"WHAT! What did he do!"

"Actually not much... I think I cried because of all the adrenaline…"

Ginny grinned at her.

"He asked you to go to the concert didn't he?"

Hermione looked up at her and slowly nodded her head blushing. Ginny squealed and hugged Hermione, covering her in a mass of untamed red hair.

"Oh I knew it! I knew it as soon as I heard him this morning! Oh Hermione!"

Ginny gave Hermione another reassuring hug.

"I knew it. I knew it! You did say yes right?"

Hermione nodded, her cheeks becoming even more flushed. Ginny squealed and the two started walking back up to Hogwarts as the night sky twinkled overhead, the darkness enveloping the school in serene tranquility.

A/N Mwhahaha! Sorry this took so long to post up (once again!) School's been a real hassle lately but I must go unfortunately instead of staying home and writing more chapters. I'm glad people here like this story. I decided to shorten chapter 3 because for what I now have planned out, it would've been MUCH to long. For me at least. Anyways, I'd like to urge you all to keep reviewing! I love reviews, absolutely LOVE them. They always make me so happy to see that someone out there is actually reading this plus it always edges me on to write more. –wink, wink- Also, if you could do me the tiniest favor and ask other people that you know that might like this to read it to do so? I'd greatly appreciate it. Well, it's almost time for bed, (Wow, is it really 2:30 in the morning right now? Is this REALLY 5 pages long!) or rather it's much later then my normal bedtime. –blushes- I shall try to post soon and in the meantime, keep those reviews coming! Roses

(1) Starfish and Stick: From Quidditch Through The Ages "Keeper defence; the Keeper holds the broom horizontally with one hand and one foot curled around the handle, keeping all limbs outstretched. The Starfish Without Stick should never be attempted." So this should make it clear right now, since Harry has long since outcome the ban by Umbridge in his 5th year, with much help from Dumbledore I presume, and Fred and George being gone and all, they needed to fill positions for the team. I never thought that Ron was the best of Keepers –hides from people throwing things at me- so therefore he tried out for a Beater instead and is quite good at it. Ginny having lost her position as Seeker to Harry decided to tryout for Keeper as an alternative and is good at it; much better then Ron ever was. This is all in my mind though so don't flame me for pulling this out of thin air:P