Chapter 4

-One Week Later-

A week passed since the party. I thought it would be awkward with Draco after that, but surprisingly, we successfully maintained our friendship like nothing happened. I was glad.

Right?

Well, I guess I can admit to myself, and only myself, that I might have wanted the kiss to develop us to something more. But it was normal to feel that way. We kissed, for Merlin's sake. But that doesn't mean I like him.

Right.

In Potions, our old partners became our regular ones, so I was going to be with Serena the whole year.

"Hermione, can you pass the unicorn hairs?" Serena's voice brought me back to reality.

"Sure."

Over week, we became good friends. That's another Slytherin. Next, I'll be in with Pansy Parkinson. Not.

"So, you have to admit, the kiss between you and Draco was pretty intense," she said to me as she added the hairs to our potion.

"Well, I suppose so, but it meant nothing. We're just friends."

She stopped adding the hairs for a second and turned to me. "Really?"

I was surprised at her voice. She sounded stern. Interested. Hopeful?

"Y- yeah," I stuttered. Then, I added more confidently, "Of course."

She smiled widely. "Ok. Awesome."

I raised my eyebrow. "Why awesome?"

She didn't miss a beat of our conversation. "My friend likes him, and I wanted to make sure she could go for it. You know, without other people on the line. So yeah."

I wasn't completely convinced, but I let it go.

-Hogsmeade Weekend-

All the girls had come together to dress up for Hogsmeade weekend since we never got to change out of our school robes during school days. Basically, everyone wanted to impress the boys.

Not that I did. Ahem.

We decided to hold our little get together in the head common room. Pavarti, Lavender, Ginny, Hannah, Padma, and even Serena knocked on my portrait at 9: 30 am, just as I had gotten out of the shower.

I ran over, still in a bathrobe, and let them all in.

"Hermione! We brought all our stuff. Let's get to getting!" Pavarti squealed as the rest of them pushed me into the bedroom. Just as we were going in, Draco was coming out. They stopped in their tracks, but not before accidentally pushing me into him.

"Hey!" I let out a shout, surprised. He stopped my fall before I went crashing down. I looked up at his startled yet worried eyes.

Oh Lord.

"Sorry about that," I said, looking back at the girls to glare at them. They were ogling at Draco, who was without a shirt, revealing his well toned muscles nicely.

"It's okay." He turned to the others and nodded. "Morning, ladies. I'm off to take a shower." He gave me one last bemused look, then headed toward the bathroom. They stared after him.

"Please don't drool on the carpet." They snapped their heads back to me, embarrassed.

"Geez, Hermione. Do you get to see that everyday?" Lavender asked enviously. I wish.

-Hogsmeade Village-

After half an hour of listening to those females I call friends blabber about how hot Draco was, I finally got to hang out with Harry and Ron a bit.

"Hey Hermione. C'mon, let's go to the Hog's Head for a butterbeer." I had just arrived when Ron grabbed my wrist and dragged me along with Harry and started to run.

"Whoa, Ron. What's the rush?" Harry asked as he tried to keep up.

"Well, when you were busy snogging my sister and Hermione was busy with head duties, I got busy and found myself a date."

I grinned. "That's great, Ron! Who's the lucky lady?"

"Hello, Ron." Luna Lovegood?!!

-The Hog's Head-

"So, Ron's dating Luna Loony," Harry said absent- mindedly.

"It's Luna Lovegood, Harry," I corrected him.

"How long do you think this has been going on?" He asked, ignoring my previous statement.

"I don't know, but they look pretty cozy."

They were in a corner booth, shoulders touching, sipping on the same butterbeer.

Well, it wasn't like Luna was ugly. She was actually pretty good looking. She just had the reputation of being loony. But really, people change.

Pretty soon, Ginny came in to cuddle with her boyfriend. I had no interest in being the third wheel, so I quickly made an excuse and got out of there.

As soon as I got out, I bumped into someone and fell to the ground.

"Oh, sorry Hermione. Here, let me help you up." It was Draco, and he was carrying a shopping bag with a bright ribbon hanging out.

He held his hand out, which I gladly excepted. As soon as our fingers touched, I felt a blush creep up on my cheeks. For no reason.

I looked into his eyes. Big mistake. Honestly, blue eyes are my total weakness.

I gulped. "So, um, who's the present for?"

He looked at me and smiled. Oh Merlin, I really liked his smile. "Someone."

Ok, I think I like him.

-Head Common Room-

After we got back from the village, the girls all had to go to my room again to grab all their things. There, I had wanted to tell them about my newfound infatuation.

"You guys," I started. "I think I might li-"

Everyone was there waiting to hear my announcement except for Serena. All of a sudden, she burst into the room.

"Oh my God, girls, I am officially Draco Malfoy's girlfriend! Aren't you happy for me?"

I was shocked. So, as it seems, were all the others at first. Then, Lavender broke the silence. "Way to go! I always thought you guys would make a cute couple."

Everyone else started to congratulate her as well. I wanted to. But I couldn't really tell what I was feeling at the moment. I didn't love him, but I didn't really get a chance, did I?

At that moment, Pavarti shouted, "I can't believe you, Serena! You knew I liked him! I told you that just a few days ago!"

Another shock.

"Are you serious?" I whispered under my breath so that no one could hear me. Two of my friends liked him? Oh, just brilliant.

"You just said you thought he was hot. You didn't say you liked him." Serena cocked her head to the side.

"You bitch! I said I liked him!" My jaw dropped. Wasn't it just a while ago when she said that Serena was really nice? And now she was calling her a bitch?

With that, Pavarti stormed out of the room, slamming the portrait shut.

Serena's eyes started to fill up with tears. "But- but she didn't…"

-Hours later-

At 12: 43 am, I was laying down in my bed holding up a book, but not really reading.

Well, my heart was far from broken, but I think it might have been a little chipped. I mean, I didn't love him. Just liked him. I'd get over it.

"How was your day?" I looked up from the blurred pages of my book and saw Draco pulling the up his green covers and reaching for a book.

"It was good, "I lied through my teeth. "I heard that you and Serena got together, so what's the story on that?" I faked a cheerful tone, but in reality, my heart was weighing down on me like a ton of bricks.

He smiled happily, which made me feel even worse. "Yeah. I bought that present you saw earlier for her. I had wanted to ask her for a while now. Isn't she terrific? Seriously, she's the loveliest Slytherin there ever was and now, she's mine." He sighed dreamily.

Okay, now, that little chip got just a bit bigger.

I kept smiling for him. "Aw… that's so… sweet." Oh, God, now tears were filling my eyes. I quickly put down my book and faked a yawn.

"Well, I'd love to hear you babble more, but I need sleep. Goodnight."

By the time I lay my head on my pillow, a tear had already fallen.

-Potions Class-

"Hermione, you're happy for me, right?" asked a worried Serena.

Oh great. More acts. I put on another fake smile just like I had done the night before for Draco. "Of course, Serena. Why wouldn't I be?"

She smiled, relieved. "Well, at first I thought you liked him, but I'm glad I was wrong. Pavarti is still furious with me and I don't think I could stand to lose another friend." Her look dimmed a tad, but then brightened again, probably for me.

Well, I wanted to be upset with her, but how could you? She was hard to get made at. Well, at least for me it was.

Now that I thought about it, she had a basically perfect life. She was gorgeous, she was teacher's pet in almost all her classes , had boys chasing after her all over the place, and managed to snag the perfect boyfriend.

How does life work that way?

"Well, don't worry. I don't like Draco that way. We're just good friends is all. How long have you liked him?" I was digging my own grave, I knew it. But I was just too curious.

"Ever since before the party, I guess. And he said that he liked me ever since a week after the party! Isn't that cool?"

He liked her for that long? Well, he sure as hell never told me.

"Yeah, that's really cool." I kept my eyes down to the cauldron but my voice remained cheerful.

"I don't know, Hermione. I know I'm still young, but I can't help but feel like I love him, you know?"

My head snapped up. Love? Love? She barely even knew him.How could she love him already?

"Are you sure?" I asked her skeptically but as kindly as possible.

She shrugged. "I don't know. I might."

I don't think she did, though.