Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or his fabulous world of magic.

Author's Notes: Hello everyone! I'm back! I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting but I have been mega busy these past weeks and didn't get much writing done. I've read over this chapter a few times but it might not be so good as the others.

Thank you for the reviews, I'm soo impressed! 44 reviews! Yay!

A few personal thank you's are necessary I think!

Magma rose and Nikki (thank you for reviewing guys, I'm finally updating as you can see, hope you enjoy!), written on paper wings (I can't make Harry suffer! Lol! Don't worry everything will happen in due time. Hermione does actually listen to what Draco has to say...), Melmalfoy (thank you for following my fanfic and reviewing! I hope to hear from you again.), dracocrazyem (Hey what can I say? Poor Harry has seen a lot of people murdered in front of his eyes and its has scared him. You can't blame him for being like I've made him, but don't worry, he improves!), Bootstrap Beka (I'm so glad u enjoy this fic! I never thought someone would love it so much! Please continue your reviews, they make me happy!)

As for those who wonder about Abigail; well she can't go on not eating forever and its not that she's not hungry or whatever, its more that she forgets to eat because she's so obssessed about being the perfect Serpent now that her mother has gone mad and she does have a lot on her mind, being Blaise's girlfriend again. But can she really complain? Blaise is fit in this fic, lol! Enjoy!

..~**~..

Chapter 14

Two weeks of hell passed for Hermione since the episode with Malfoy and the Slytherins. She didn't mind having Harry and Ron around her, but they seemed to constantly follow her since the incident with Malfoy. None of the Gryffindors would let any Slytherins near her. Even Abigail, who had come to check up on her in the Entrance Hall, had been turned away by Dean and Lavender.

Worse was how the Hogwarts' teachers constantly paired her up with the Slytherin git. It drove her crazy to see him act as if everything was alright when he had mistreated her only two weeks ago. Therefore Hermione avoided him as much as possible which was difficult as they lived together, although Harry and Ron were there with her nearly every night in the Heads' Quarters. Hermione found her peace in studying. It was the perfect excuse to be alone and spend hours in her room or the library, without anyone to disturb her. She put her heart back into studying for her NEWTs and worked hard till late at night most days.

Sometimes she managed to escape her two best friends by running away to the rocks by the lake. It was her favourite spot on the grounds as it was usually quiet and she could easily hide from the others there.

Hermione had seen Abigail there one day, sitting alone on a flat rock, contemplating into the lake. The girl seemed completely lost in her thoughts and did not notice Hermione's presence. She had become even thinner and tired since the Gryffindor had last seen her. Now that she was with Blaise Zabini, Hermione pitied her. More than once, she had seen Abigail hide from him or argue with him in the corridors. He seemed impossible to get along with; he never let her out of his sight.

Hermione had sworn to herself to help the Slytherin girl after what she had done for her. She would fix the broken smile on Abigail's face, but for that she needed Harry.

Hermione remembered how she had talked to him a couple of nights after that.

..~**~..

They were the only ones left in the Gryffindor common room, Ron having gone to sleep already to avoid further studying. They both sat on the comfy armchairs facing each other as Harry tried once again to teach Hermione how to play wizard chess.

"Why don't you talk to Abigail anymore?" Hermione suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

He shifted uncomfortably at the name and slowly lifted his eyes off the game.

"You know why," he stated quietly, "she's a Slytherin."

"Oh Harry, you shouldn't be so prejudiced," Hermione sighed loudly.

"I think there's sufficient reason to be, Hermione," he answered back coolly.

"You liked her before you knew that though," she pointed out as she leaned back in her chair.

"Yeah, well she's going out with Zabini now," he replied, scathingly, clearing away the chess game. "I'm sure she's getting on quite well without me."

"No matter what you say, I know you still like her," Hermione exclaimed, grinning. "And really Harry, are you blind? She's miserable with that idiot! The only time I ever saw her smile was when you were together. And the same goes for you," she added.

He listened carefully as she spoke. He seemed to realise that he did indeed miss the Slytherin girl. Hermione knew that deep inside he was angry with himself for dismissing Abigail like he had done.

"Trust me, Harry," Hermione continued. "Just go and apologise to her, talk to her again; but avoid Zabini at all costs. I saw him punch a fifth-year yesterday for talking with Abby. That guy is seriously out of his mind."

Harry seemed to contemplate what she had just said for a while and then let out a deep sigh. "I won't promise you anything 'Mione, but I guess I should say sorry to her."

"You're not doing this for me Harry, you're doing it for yourself," she told him smiling, before going to bed.

..~**~..

Since that night, Hermione hadn't gotten a chance to ask Harry about Abigail, but she saw them together in the library in deep conversation a few times. She hoped it would lighten Harry's mood. She had already noticed some changes in him since he had met Abigail. Several times Harry had stuck up for himself when confronted by teachers or other students, something he had not done since fifth-year.

Unfortunately, Voldemort was still out there and getting stronger every day according to the reports she read in The Daily Prophet. His followers were increasing in numbers rather rapidly, whilst the Ministry was still lacking Aurors. If Abigail could help the 'Boy Who Lived', then it was all for the best.

The following week Hermione had managed to successfully avoid all contact with Malfoy, and was enjoying her lunch with her friends. Ginny was sitting in the lap of her latest boyfriend a few seats away and Harry was peering over her shoulder at the Slytherin table whilst Ron wolfed down his food. It was the day of their first match against Slytherins and he needed all the energy that he could get.

Once again, Dumbledore hadn't authorised Harry to take part in the match. The headmaster was still afraid for the Boy Who Lived's health and feared finding him in pieces at the hospital wing, especially with Slytherin playing. All Harry could do was watch his team play from the stands and cheer. Hermione knew that he was disappointed. He was looking forward to playing against Slytherin and catching the Snitch under Malfoy's nose, but instead he would probably sulk in the Gryffindor common room and watch the game from his window.

Finishing her plate, Hermione smiled warmly at her friends before leaving hurriedly to go to the library. As she walked down the corridor, she realised that she wasn't quite alone. She turned to see who was following her, never expecting to find that it was Malfoy. Before she knew it, the git called out her name.

"Hermione!"

Hermione? She thought angrily. How dare he call her by her first name after everything that had happened? Anger overtook her as she remembered all the pain he had caused her a fortnight ago and that she hadn't been able to express before. As he walked closer to her, she couldn't believe his nerve and as soon as he was within range she smacked him across the face.

"Don't you ever come near me again!" she voiced dangerously to him.

Malfoy wanted to explain himself to her apparently, but it was all a bunch of lies. She had admitted her hidden feelings for him and he had dismissed them in the cruellest possible way. For that she hated him; she hated how he used his Death Eater status to deny his own feelings and made her pay for them.

In her confusion the words flowed out of her mouth as her emotions overwhelmed her. All she could think of were the harsh things he had said to her that night and how he had left her to her fate, collapsed on the ground without even a wand to protect herself. She wanted to shout at him again, tell him how badly he had hurt her and no matter what he said, she couldn't forgive him, but instead she was warning him again. She was endlessly warning him against Voldemort, telling him to join her side before it was too late, because deep inside, she still feared for him, for his life.

This is just like sixth-year all over again!

"Get the hell away from her!" Hermione suddenly heard as Malfoy was pushed away from her.

She wondered who had dared stand up to Malfoy and was extremely surprised to see Harry. What was he doing?

"Harry, no!" Hermione shouted to him. "It's okay, I'm fine."

"I don't think so," he answered coldly. He then turned to Malfoy angrily, still clutching his arm.

"Leave her alone. Do you understand, ferret boy?" he threatened the Slytherin Prince.

Oh my God! What is he doing?

This couldn't be true! Malfoy was going to beat Harry to a pulp for this! She looked at Malfoy, desperately trying to decipher his emotions, but she could not read his face. He seemed neither surprised, nor angry, nor even confused; there was simply nothing.

After a pause for Draco's answer, which never came, Harry continued.

"What's wrong, Malfoy! Daddy not here to help you?" he taunted.

Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief at Harry's words. He hadn't had a fight with Malfoy since fifth-year, what was he thinking?

"Well, well, looks like Wonder Boy is back," Malfoy finally retorted. "Have you finally found yourself some balls, Potter!"

Hermione watched as Harry's face contorted itself in anger, but before he could lunge at Malfoy, a curse appeared from nowhere and hit the Slytherin in the chest, freezing him on the spot with a shocked look on his face and one foot off the ground as he stumbled backward.

Malfoy seemed to have been petrified. Hermione looked around in confusion to see if she could find the person who had cursed him, but the corridor was deserted.

"Malfoy?" she asked hesitantly, touching his frozen arm. "What the -"

But before she could finish, Harry had already grabbed by the shoulders and was leading her away.

"Filch will be here soon," he said quickly. "Come on, we'd better leave before he sees us."

Hermione, however, didn't want to leave. She had seen the look on Malfoy's face before Harry had arrived and he had smiled. Malfoy had smiled at her; he was finally understanding what she had constantly repeated to him these past months, he was finally admitting his feelings and accepting hers. But, could she forgive him for what he had done to her? Never before had she believed that Malfoy could harm her, but he had, although it was more psychological than physical. Mere seconds ago, she swore she hated him. How could her feelings switch like this?

Hermione was too confused to answer any of her own questions. Harry had stuck up for himself, against Malfoy! He was now pushing her away from him, but he seemed no longer scared, he seemed in control! She couldn't wait to tell Ron!

As they both left hurriedly and disappeared from the corridor, Hermione did not see Abigail come out of her hiding place and grin at Malfoy.

..~**~..

It was finally time for the big match and every Hogwart's student was waiting impatiently in the stands for the game to begin. Malfoy had quickly recovered from the attack and seemed in perfect shape as he entered the field, holding his broom. He was captain of the Slytherin team now and Hermione watched as he waved to the crowd, followed by Blaise. Whilst the Slytherin stand cheered and shouted, the Gryffindors hissed at them. As Ron and Ginny entered, leading the rest of the Gryffindor team, the stand broke into applause and shouts. Hermione, in the front seats, shouted frantically, cheering on all her friends as they mounted their brooms.

The game finally began and the teachers watched nervously as their students swooped and swerved in front of them on their brooms. Hermione continued to watch anxiously as the Gryffindors led the game. Ginny managed to score, but then Blaise abruptly knocked her broom. The red-haired girl clung on tight though and swooped down back into the game. The nerve-wracking match continued and Hermione cheered along with her Gryffindor friends. With a bit of luck, Thomas Conway, the second Gryffindor Seeker would soon find the Golden snitch and...

But Hermione suddenly looked away as Harry appeared in the stands, a worried look on his face. He saw her and summoned her over.

"Abigail's in the hospital wing," he said, panic in his voice. "I found her in tears in the Great Hall and then she suddenly collapsed to the ground. I took her to the hospital wing and Madame Pomfrey is with her now. Professor Dumbledore asked me to fetch you, as you're Head Girl."

She looked back at him in disbelief. "Oh my God, is she going to be alright?"

Harry took her away from the crowd and they both made their way down the stands. "I don't know Hermione, she's still unconscious," he exclaimed with difficulty.

At his words she fell silent and they quickly rushed off back to the castle.

..~**~..

I will not have much time this week to write so u'll have to wait two weeks for the next chapter. Till then review!

Next chapter: You find out why Abigail was in tears, why she's in the hospital and who comes to visit her...