Chapter 5 – Weirdo…

Draco rushed out of the library. He was unclear about what had just happened. He was just listening to Granger crap on and on about the ball and stuff… den it's like, suddenly, he just could not take his eyes off her. It was as if he suddenly realized the beauty within the mudblood. He shook his head vigorously, it can't be….Filled with confusion, he rushed to no particular place. He didn't know what was happening to him….

Thursday…….. Dumbledore's office……

"so." Dumbledore looked up from the programme that Hermione managed to finish last night, "you're sure that's what you want to do? Go to honeydukes?"

Both of them nodded.

"Ok then. Do it." He said, expressionless.

"Are you sure professor? I mean, was the programme satisfactory?" Hermione, obviously worried, thought that the programme was not a good job done.

"Young kids… " Dumbledore almost whispered. "You should know what you want to do best. I don't know what your definition of fun is. You should have a clear idea I hope? The aim of this exchange program is simply to see the Renaissance students leave with happy memories. Nothing else." He gave them a wave, "now get going, I believe you have a lot of preparations to make? Granger, that thing… whatever it is that you use for producing music, if you have any difficulties bringing it into Hogwarts, you're free to come and seek my help. I'll be more than glad. "

Hermione thanked Dumbledore and left with Malfoy behind her. He had been exceptionally quiet this afternoon. Almost abnormal. She peered at the Malfoy walking beside her. He didn't even seem to notice. Something's definitely wrong. Very wrong. Almost concerned, Hermione asked, "What's up with you?"

Malfoy turned to look at the brunette standing before him. He pondered on the question she had just ask. What is up with him? "Nothing, " he muttered, failing terribly in his attempt to hide his confusion.

"Doesn't seem like there's nothing up…." Hermione stared at the once egotistic Malfoy. He seemed so different now, so.. unconfident, so unsure. About what? Hermione wondered. "You look… wrong." She managed to say.

"Shut up will you? It's my business and I hate people who poke into my business so just leave me alone!" Draco clenched his fists and went off.

Hermione stood there, shocked more than anything. What was he so angry about? Like as if someone poured slime onto his precious gelled-hair. What the hell was that? She gave up and decided to go look for Ron and Harry. It's been a long time since they hanged out together. Once those Renaissance people come, it'll be totally impossible to get out for a breath of fresh air.

As Draco rushed down the corridors of Hogwarts, he started questioning himself for his rash and unreasonable reaction just now. Was it becoming obvious that something was troubling him? Even he himself didn't knew what it was. He scolded himself mentally for acting so dumb in front of his enemy. I'm such an idiot.

Gryffindor common room…….

"Hey Harry. Hi ron. " Hermione greeted her buddies as heartily as she could though secretly, she was feeling very worn out.

"Hey Hermione, where've you been? I haven't seen you anywhere else other than in class." Harry asked.

"Yeah, " Ron agreed, "I won't have someone to help me slap Malfoy when he come and find me for trouble"

"No he won't… He would be too busy with the ball and stuff, which is exactly why I'm busy too. This thing is so tiring. Shouldn't have accepted to do so many subjects this year… I'm getting a headache. " Hermione complained.

"oh.. those stuff. Bet it's tough. Promise me you'd get a good night's sleep later." Harry said, concerned.

"I hope, I've still yet to finish my Potions homework. Snape was paying extra attention to me during class today. It was as if he's watching over his pig or something so that the pig would not fly. It's so ridiculous. Never mind about that, have you all gotten partners for the ball?"

"Yeah… I'm asking Parvarti." Harry replied. "figured she was a good dancer. "

"Nope… I'll… I'll just go with Ginny." Ron was hopeless.

"come on… like, Ginny's got her life. She can't spend her school life going out with her brother can she? Just ask someone out! It's as simple as saying ABC." Hermione urged.

"No it's not, of course you girls don't understand. It takes lotsa courage to actually say hi to a girl, and let's not forget, what' I'm gonna say is – Will you dance with me. " Ron gulped and looked at his best friends for understanding.

"Write a letter then. " Hermione suggested.

"but I've never been good in words…I… can I don't go?" ron pleaded.

"No. just write a bloody letter, I don't care what you write in there, you can even send her a howler. Just do something. " Hermione's reply was simple and firm.

"Never mind about the ball, I'll help you get a date, Ron," Harry assured him, "Hermione, how were the meetings with Malfoy? Was it… successful?"

"If you consider talking to someone who's physically there but mentally not there and having to continue doing so, making me look like a total idiot, and having half of the things decided because the other party would not reply a successful meeting, YES it was a successful meeting."

"so… was it successful? I think he looked weird today during classes." Ron said.

"He's not weird.. just very egotistic… ok, maybe a bit idiotic and some bitterness, mixed with evil intentions and hopeless brains, there's nothing bad about him really. " Hermione stated.

Harry and Ron stared at Hermione.

"What? Do you guys see three serpents sprouting out of my head with bloodshot eyes or have I grew a pimple at the tip of my nose?" Hermione asked, seriously annoyed.

"Is it me or are you actually defending Malfoy the jerk?" Ron said, all the while, his eyes not off Hermione.

Uneasy, Hermione shrugged. "Calm down guys, I'll never ever ever fall for the jerk. He's a jerk. And he's retarded. He sucks big time and deserves to go to hell for plotting all the evil things he has in mind. He definitely don't deserve to be the Head Boy and he's the horrible creature that's spoiling my mood every day of my life. I find it totally hopeless to work with him and I swear to get him out of my life right after this damn ball. " She spat. When she finally came back to reality, both of her friends were gone. On the table, a note read : Sleep tight herm, we'll er… leaving for now. Argh… boys… boys… argh. She sighed loudly and stomped back to her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Lavender, who shared the same room as her, sat up from her bed. She turned to look at Hermione. Hermione then realized that she was sharing room with someone else. She did a sorry sign and crept towards her own bed. She jumped onto the bed and buried her face into her soft pillow. It was only moments before she fell asleep.

Think this chapter lacks some funny stuff… but now I'm trying to focus more on romance… Humour would come later! Comments? I think this wasn't that great a job done… I finished it in like.. an hour. Please R& R! thx! =D