Chapter 7: A Confrontation

Harry stormed past a shocked Ron and banged out of the common room. Ron heard a muffled "Well really!" from the fat lady as she slammed shut. Sighing, he waved his wand, bringing his wizarding chess game to a haltand went up to Hermione's room. Although the door was not open, he could hear thumps coming from within.

"Hermione?" he said through the door, "What are you doing? Can I come in?"

The door swung open without a break in the thumps. Ron stepped forward and looked around at the mess inside.

"What are you doing?" he repeated, his voice becoming higher pitched in his agitation.

"I can't stay in the castle any more. I know he got into my room...and your face just proved it. Ron, you can't stop me going, I've spoken to Dumbledore and I know a place where I can stay, and..." She paused and looked at him before starting to shift her belongings into a pile so she could shrink them.

"AndI take it you don't want me to know in caseI tell him." She nodded, waving her wand to shrink her possessions. "You can be so selfish sometimes...but I suppose I understand. Just...keep safe, OK? And you will still come up to the Common Room right? I mean, you can stayin the Heads' rooms if you want to."

Hermione smiled weakly at her friend of seven years, but she had made her decision. Putting her shrunken luggage in her pocket, she gave him a hug before leaving her room for the last time.

Harry strode through the corridors, jumping trick steps, making his way to the Slytherin Common Room. He had to confront Malfoy. It was obvious that the spell he had cast onthe train had something to do with Hermione's change in feelings. He had been so certain she felt the same.

Harry's distortion of the facts fuelled his anger. He finally reached the Slytherin corridor and stopped in front of the statue that guarded the entrance.

"Come out Malfoy!" he screamed, so loud that his throat felt as if it had torn. "Get out here you fucking coward!"

Harry stood back as the statue leapt aside and Draco sauntered out. His anger subsided as he realised he was facing probably one of the most powerful wizards in theschool. He knew how the Malfoys taught their children the 'Unforgivables' young.He backed off a little more.

"What do you want Potter? Any reason in particular that you felt it was your duty to interrupt me?"

Harry had no doubt as to what he had'interrupted'. His anger flared up again as he thought how easy it was for Malfoy. He took away Harry' one love, when he could have any in the school. Harry added more fiction to his facts.

"She was with you last night!" Harry did not realise how close this was to the truth. "Ever since you cursed her on the train she's been different. You've changed her feelings for me!"

Draco had to laugh at Harry's idiocy. He was so far from the truth it was nearly unbelievable.

"I very much doubt she felt anything for you in the first place, so stop being delusional. And as much as I hate to tell you, I did nothing to that mudblood on the train, except possibly insult her, and I heard her explanation to you - it had nothing to do with me. I don't deny she was with me last night, but you're mad if you think I would touch her." Draco crossed his fingers behind his back. The fact was that since this morning he had been thinking about nothing but Hermione, and worrying about the Dark Wizard who was on the loose.

"Then why did she refuse me just now?"

Draco's eyes narrowed.

"What?" he hissed.

"I tried to make a move and she screamed at me to get out."

"You bastard! Is that why you're so angry? Because you're arrogant enough to believe that just because you like her, she has to fall at your feet? Where is she now? Tell me!"

Harry had the decency to look ashamed. He had once again allowed his strong feelings to get the better of him.

"I don't know. As I left she muttered something about returning to safety. I assumed she was talking to me."

Draco gaped in horror as he realised. Hermione would return to her place of safety. She was going to stay in the cave! Despite the protection he had placed, nothing could protect her from the Dark Wizard who, he was sure, was on his way to find her. He'd broken through the train wards for Merlin's sake!

Pushing past Harry, he ran down the corridor and disappeared into the alcove where the tunnel entrance was hidden.