Author's Note: You guys did not have a long wait, so you should be happy. ::nods:: Yup. I updated quick.


Chapter Thirteen


I stood behind a very tall fern tree. The leaves blocked others from noticing me, yet it did not keep me from noticing everyone else. I felt oddly guilty for doing this to Malfoy, but he had it coming for ages. I'll be damned if my conscious decides to show up and prevents me from putting my deviously devised plan into action. There is absolutely no way I can let that happened, I have gone too far and it is too late to turn back now. I tugged uneasily on my ear and fixed the small earpiece that I had placed in my ear prior the hour before going to the Ball. I gave the other one to Zabini who found this muggle device extremely interesting. Anything he says, I can hear.

I've managed to get away from Malfoy so my plan can get to work.

Zabini walked languidly to the Head-Boy, a champagne glass in his hand. (Although I doubt there would be champagne in it.) "Malfoy."

"Zabini." Malfoy returned the greeting. "Alone?"

Zabini shook his head, grinning. "Nah, I'm secretly here with Ginny."

Malfoy looked shocked. "Weasley's little sister?"

The other Slytherin nodded. "Nothing wrong with her. You got a Gryffindor yourself, mate. A fine-ass piece of flesh, she is."

I narrowed my eyes. I hope Zabini knows I can hear him perfectly clearly.

"Don't talk about her like that." Malfoy gritted.

I was astonished. Is it me or did I just detect jealousy in Malfoy's voice?

"Jealous?" Zabini quirked an amused eyebrow.

"Hell no." Malfoy retorted, looking rather offended. "I just don't want to envision Granger as a fine-ass piece of flesh."

I was affronted. And here my stupid self thought he actually cared!

"Hey," Zabini shrugged, putting his lips on the rim of the glass. "I got manly urges."

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Although you are half a man." He noticed Zabini's drink. "I smell alcohol."

Zabini grinned. "Do me a favor, ol' buddy of mine, don't tell anyone. It's my last night. Gotta get loose a bit."

"What about the punch bowl?"

"Yeah," Zabini said casually. "Kids need to get loose too." He eyed Snape walking towards the refreshment table. "Merlin knows someone desperately need to get laid... badly."

I saw Malfoy shuddered. "Maybe McGonagall will be drunk enough..."

They both laughed.

They continued their conversation, but it was about Quidditch. I sighed heavily, getting restless. I turned my gaze away from the two Slytherin boys and viewed my surrounding. Colin stood a few feet from me, taking pictures with his camera.

I was surprised to see him there... unless his date is a Seventh Year?

"Hey Colin," I greeted, moving away from my spy location and approached him.

"Hello Hermione." He smiled, putting down his camera.

"You have a date?"

He shook his head solemnly. "No, but that's okay. It's just as fun taking pictures."

"Why are you taking pictures?"

"For fun."

"I see that you're lying Colin."

The boy nervously chuckled. "I am?"

"Yes, you are."

"Umm..." He looked down sheepishly. "For the seventh year, yearbook."

The what? "What seventh year, yearbook?" How come I haven't heard of it?! I'm the Head-Girl!

"Well," Colin said edgily. "I'm not supposed to tell you, but you won't tell anyone right?"

I nodded. That Colin boy could never keep a secret.

"Okay," He began. "It's a secret project, between me, Neville, and Dumbledore. Dumbledore knew I like taking pictures, right? So he proposed that I should start a yearbook for the seventh year students whom aren't supposed to know about it." He grinned. "He enlisted Neville to help me, since he's a seventh year and I'm not. But anyways, I'm always taking pictures, so no one would ever guess I'm keeping their embarrassing moments on film."

Realization dawned me. Neville Longbottom! So he was the one all this time! It was he who took the pictures in McGonagall's class two months ago... Who would've thought! And to add to that shame, a yearbook! Imagine that... all the humiliating things that had happened to me will be on record... Just wonderful.

"...so all throughout the year, me and Neville have been taking pictures of people... you should see all the things they did..."

"Colin," I said quickly. "Do we get the yearbooks?"

"Yeah, tomorrow morning. Dumbledore will be making copies after I give him tonight's pictures."

"Okay," I smiled, suppressing my urge to find Neville and strangle him. "I'll be looking forward to seeing them."

"So, what are you going to doabout Granger?"

At the mention of my name, I remembered about Zabini and Malfoy. The yearbook took my mind for a moment. I returned to my post behind the fern and spied on Zabini and Malfoy.

"I'm definitely doing it. I'm going to tell her and be done with it once and for all, because this shit is just nagging me. I took her to the ball todo this and hell, I'll follow through with my plan." Malfoy replied. From the tone of his voice, I knew he was very serious.

What? Tell me what?! Malfoy has a plan?!

Zabini nodded. "I understand. Things haven't been easy, huh?"

Malfoy shook his head. He eyed the glass in the Zabini's hand.

"Here," Zabini said, handing Malfoy the glass. "You look like you need it."

Malfoy took the glass and gulped the whole thing in one go. "I'm going to find Granger and do it now..."

"Malfoy."

The Head-Boy turned back around.

"You smell like alcohol. Granger would say something."

Indeed I would! Drinking, honestly!

"Shit," Malfoy realized.

"Want a mint?" Zabini offered a small tin can filled with small white mints as he plopped one into his mouth. Malfoy took one and grunted thanks.

I could see that Malfoy was looking for me, yet he hasn't noticed me yet. Good. He swayed a little in his steps, as if he was drunk. But Malfoy couldn't possibly get drunk with half a cup of diluted alcohol, would he? I smiled.

He stopped, placing his hands onto his head, trying to focus. I heard Malfoy groaned as he swayed to the walls, holding on for support. However, his dizziness only lasted for a couple of minutes. I could see that he was feeling better as he straightened up. He looked around, making sure that no one saw him in such a state. But I did and I knew Zabini made sure he did.

Malfoy lifted his head and a big grin was plastered onto his face. He looked around crazily, eyes dancing with madness, face of a madman. He tousled his perfect hair with his hands into a disheveled mess. He walked to the refreshment table, looking like an idiot as I tried to muffle my laughter. He still had the big cheesy grin on his face.

The students around the refreshment table looked at him oddly. The Slytherins looked at him with horror, for it was Draco Malfoy smiling, not sneering, but a smiling. At that moment, I knew they wanted to get down on their knees and pray, pray the almighty heaven and earth for forgiveness. Malfoy never smiles and if he did, they knew something was wrong. The Earth orbited in the opposite direction, perhaps. Or maybe it was because Snape washed his greasy hair. Whatever it was, the Slytherins around the table knew something was wrong and good heavens, they would do anything for Malfoy to stop smiling because it was scaring them senseless.

"Hey you two...." Malfoy grinned, referring to Crabbe and Goyle. "You guys are really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really..." He paused, taking a deep breath and then continued. "Really, really, really... stupid."

They stared at him dumbly. "T-Thank you." They stuttered.

I snorted. Leave it to them to think that was a compliment.

Malfoy left the table, with at least three-quarters of the students around there gaping after him. He turned, but accidentally ran into Professor Sprout who greeted him with glee. "How are you doing, Mr. Malfoy!"

"Sprout!" Malfoy exclaimed.

The Prof. looked shock as he screamed her last name.

He leaned in closer to her face. "That is an awfully big zit you have there." He said loudly, pointing to the middle of her forehead. "I think it's beating. Ba-bump-ba-bump-ba-bump."

Mortified, Sprout stomped away angrily.

The onlookers stifled their laughter. Zabini came up to me, a victorious smirk on his face. "A job well done, I say." He beamed.

"Yes, very well." I agreed, grinning along with him.

"You really are the brightest witch I've ever met. There would have been no way I could've concoct this plan."

"Thank you Zabini."

"It's ingenious, really. Alcohol already makes you an idiot, sputtering things you would never say if you're sober, and add to that, a diluted version of Veritaserum equals a magnificent scheme."

"How much alcohol was in that drink?" I asked.

"Oh... enough to a whole night of binge drinking."

"And the mint?"

"Just incase Malfoy goes overboard. You know what to do when he does." He looked at Malfoy.

I frowned. "I know."

"And we don't even have to question him for him to make a fool of himself. The alcohol is working its magic."

I nodded. "Yes, the components of the diluted version of Veritaserum and the alcohol will make Malfoy say things..."

My eyes followed Malfoy as he walked around the Great Hall. He stopped at Snape. "Snape... Snapity Snape-snape..." He hiccupped. "I believe that you should declare your love for McGonagall here... Look at her, she's old and wrinkling and it won't be long until she pop the cork... and die... Hence! Tell her you love her before she gets any more wrinkles!"

The Potions Master was speechless.

"And...you know what else...?" He slurred. "I think you should wash your hair... I can see myself... Oh my," Malfoy turned his head slightly sideways as he looked up Snape's nose. "Look how big your boogers are..."

I didn't know if it was possible, but Snape was drained of color. His face was whiter than a ghost's. The students collapsed in laughter. Many had tears trailing down their eyes. No one dared to talk to Snape like that. Only a drunk Malfoy under Veritaserum would.

Malfoy moved on to his next target. McGonagall. Oh I fear what he might say to her, but I couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh look! Your hair... so... coarsely done, like a bird's nest! I'm surprised I don't see any birds..." He poked her hair with his finger. "Birdie... birdie... come out birdie..."

Furious, McGonagall slapped his hand away. "Mr. Malfoy! How dare you!"

Malfoy ignored her, walking towards the center of the Great Hall. Eyes were glued on him. The students were delighted to see what he would do next. He looked at Ron, and lips smiling, he said, "I've heard that you're a one-minute man, Weasley. Drink pineapple soda, it makes you go longer."

Ron's face fiercely matched his hair and he couldn't say anything back. I felt so bad for Ron... Zabini, next to me, was wiping his tears.

"Pansy... easy-to-get-in-your-pants-Pansy..." Malfoy said, looking at Pansy's horrified face. "You never was good in bed... as a matter of fact, you're really horrible... I didn't scream of ecstasy, I screamed of the torture I had to go through when in bed with you..."

Pansy's lips quivered and she broke into loud sobs, causing Zabini to double over and clutch his stomach.

"And Potter..." Harry frozed. "You really are the most flamboyant boy I ever did meet...Keeping a secret, huh Boy Wonder? Want to share it with us?"

Dumbledore caught his eye. Malfoy then whispered, "I wonder how that bloody wanker stays alive for so long..."

Helooked around for more victims. His eyes rested on mine. "Draco... Draco... How you get so fly... How did you get sofly...? Boy, you keep it so fly with your sweet honeybuns..."

My mouth hung open. He still remembers that song! Merlin, he remembers...

His face suddenly twisted ito an emotionless stare."You... Mudblood." He approached me, my heart quickened, fearing what he might say next. I really didn't want my plan to backfire on me. "I hated you, I never liked you. I despised you, loathed every fiber in your being."

He went on further. "Annoyed by your presence, infuriated by your bossy ways, disgusted by your muggle blood, sickened by your kindness to others and the loyalty to your friends... Yes, I hated you with a deep passion... You, the reason for my misery..." He rose up his hand up to my face and it felt like he was going to slap me. I waited for the force to come, but it didn't. I looked up and he was staring at me as everyone was holding their breath. Then he gently stroked my face and said softly. "Yet, you... the reason for my heartache..."

Heartache?

"Hermione Granger, of all things, you mean most and I think I like—" He was cut off as I quickly pressed my lips to his. No more words... no more...

I could feel everyone's stares, but I didn't care. I could see the flashing light of Neville and Colin's cameras, but I didn't care. I knew my friends were gaping, but... I didn't care. And I kissed him harder.

He regained his senses slowly, little by little, fragments by fragments... but he was coming back. Then he opened his eyes and looked down at me. I stepped back, the taste of him still on my lips. He didn't say anything as he looked at me, then at everyone. Students and teachers had surrounded us; shock, amusement, mixed emotions filled them as they saw our display. The band stopped playing as the dead silence hung in the air. I turned away from him, away from everyone as I wiped my tears and ran out of the Great Hall.

He likes me...

I mean most to him...

It was too much for me...

It would have been so much better if he did not say anything...

Because it hurts me...

Because I finally realized I felt the same way as I kissed him and knew he was, at last, truthful...

And because it hurts me most to know that I cannot be with him...

As it saddens me to know that I have failed...


Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews. They're very much appreciated. There will be an Epilogue. So look out for that soon. Hope this chapter was enjoyable. The epilogue will explain everything, if you're confused.

Thanks for reading and remember to rate/review.