DISCLAIMER- really now, im just repeating myself now. I dont own it, just the plot, and all that good stuff.

(A/N) I have decided to give up my muses for now. They may come back, but perhaps not. WE shall see. Oh, and thanks again fro review and wishes for my arthritus to die down. Much appreciated.

Hermione had stormed off to her room sometime ago. She was currently laying on her bed still, listening to music. She needed her music to keep her sane, to keep her real. In the summer, when everything had happened... the only reason she hadn't killed herself was because of music. It kept her okay, for the most part.

She couldn't get over what Draco had said. He was a rude arrogant, conceited little asshole as far as she was concerned. Being Head boy didn't stop him from being a self-righteous prick. She had had a bad go and things recently, and having to deal with him certainly didn't make things any better. She was depressed, tired, and just about fed up with his attitude problem.

"I said I'm crazy one more time. Pick up the phone and wonder why. So many years of hidden drinks pushed down too far to ever win."

She was singing again. She hadn't had a decent drink since she left her home, and she didn't know where to get a good rum and coke around the school. Ah well, it was probably better that she DIDN'T know where to get it. Not that she was an alcoholic or anything, but it was nice to drown her sorrows every once in a while.

"Locked doors and hidden ghosts, denied myself with every joke. This was not me. This could never be me."

Hermione looked at her clock and realized that it was almost time for dinner. Lunch at the Three broomsticks seemed like it was forever ago, and she was starved. She got up, and got herself decent again. She had been crying for a while, and her makeup needed to be redone. She left the music on, but turned the volume up as she walked to her bathroom to fix herself.

"Remembering so many time, so many lies. Ran so fast the years passed blind."

Hermione loved this song, and this band. She always got more energetic listening to them, and loved it. She brushed her hair, and fixed her face, while singing loudly, not really caring if Mr. Asshat heard her.

"Crashed this side of happiness. Hit the floor, or hit and miss. Without the strength to follow through. Walked right past this life and you. Just one more guess, just one more chance. Just one more life, or circumstance. One more call, taking a chance on circumstance."

The song was over, and Hermione felt a lot better, She turned her CD player off, and walked out her door, with a smile on her face. She walked through the common room, thankfully not seeing the little shit, and walked out the portrait. She was still humming to herself when she walked into the Great Hall. She walked over to where she saw her friends, and sat down beside Lavender, and Ginny.

"Hey 'Mione, how are you?" Lavender said, looking up from her Teen Witch Weekly. "Did you read this article about the new all natural makeup that changes color to fit your skin tone?"

"Hi guys, and nope, I cant say that I have Lavender." Hermione replied, scooping mashed potatoes onto her plate.

"Oh, well, Ill let you borrow the magazine when I'm done with it" Lavender said, turning to talk to Parvati.

"So, 'Mione, I hear that you guys got some great ideas for the ball" Harry said, cutting his role.

"Yes, we do actually. It's going to be something to remember. And don't even ask me to tell you about it, since you know that I can't." Hermione said, pouring gravy on said potatoes.

"Oh, well, can you at least tell me whether or not I'm going to need to find a date again?" he asked innocently.

"No, Harry, for once, you don't. Not that you would have any problems" she replied, shoveling food into her mouth.

They continued to eat, while talking about random things, mainly Quidditch. Hermione finished first, and said her good byes, and left to meet Professor McGonagall. She was almost to the classroom, when she heard a voice behind her.

"On time, I see Granger" the silky voice sneered.

"Hey, Malfoy, did I ever tell you to fuck off? No? Oh, my mistake. FUCK OFF!" Hermione replied, not even turning around, but rather walking a wee bit faster.

They reached the classroom before he had a chance to reply, and to be honest, he hadn't even though of a witty comeback, which was odd for him.

They knocked on the door, and it was answered right away.

"Granger, Malfoy, come in." Professor McGonagall said, ushering them into her class. "Its quite simple, this spell. You guys should be able to do it in no time. Ill also have the list of the students birth dates by Wednesday, so you can come pick them up then."

The lesson didn't take too long, as it was a fairly easy spell. They were soon dismissed, and both went back to their common room, without talking to each other.

Hermione was still pissed off at him, and Draco wasn't overly pissed, but more confused. He didn't know why she was so sad; he couldn't get over it, but wanted to find out what made her sad. He hoped that it wasn't as bad as what he had. He couldn't deal with it himself, and he highly doubted if anyone else could.

They were both in the common room, Hermione reading a book on her couch, wrapped up in her blanket, and Draco reading on his. Draco wasn't actually reading, but thinking about the girl less then 10 feet away from him reading. She looked so sweet and innocent. He noticed that she was chewing on something.

"Granger, what are you eating?" Draco asked, afraid that she would snap on him again, but curiosity got the best of him.

"Huh? Oh, I'm not eating anything; I'm playing with my tongue ring. I do that a lot when I'm thinking." She replied, not even looking up from her book.

"Tongue ring? You mean that YOU of all people have your tongue pierced??" Draco was in shock.

"HAHA, yes, Malfoy, I do. I got it done in the summer when my cousin came to visit me. It isn't the only thing I have done, so don't look so surprised. Remember Malfoy, you know nothing about me." She finally looked up at him, amber eyes looking right into his ice ones.

"Well, maybe after 6 years, I should do just that Hermione." Draco stuttered over her name, not used to calling her that.

"And, why on earth would you want to do that?" Hermione was suspicious now. He was never nice to her. She doubted if he was nice to anyone.

"Because, it's been 6 years. I should like to get to know the only person to ever do better then me." Was his response.

"Oh, I guess." Hermione said, putting her book down, and getting more comfortable. "What do you want to know?"

"I want to know why you were crying the other night."

"Now THAT is not for you to know. You wouldn't understand, nor would you care. Sorry, try again." She was shocked that of all the things to know, that was it. It didn't seem right.

"Alright, then, what happened to you over the summer to make you so depressed." He looked at her with complete sincerity in his voice, and eyes. It spooked Hermione to no end.

"Nothing. I read. That's it. You know me, bookworm Granger. I never do anything interesting." Both Hermione and Draco knew she was lying right through her teeth.

"Hermione, we aren't doing a very good job of getting to know each other. Why don't you just trust me?" he said, moving closer to her.

"Trust you? I'm sorry Mal-Draco. I can't trust you. I have no reason to. Prove to me that you want to know ME, the real me, without the books, without the blood, that you like reminding me of, and Ill consider it. Until then, go back to being an asshole. You do it so well." Hermione said, getting up from her couch, and grabbing her book.

"I'm going to bed. Good night Draco" With that, she walked up her stairs, and close her door.

'What did I do this time? Ill make her trust me. If it's the last thing I do.' Draco thought, following her lead, and walking to his room to get ready for bed.