Disclaimer: I own nothing, you all know this. JK Rowling does, so don't sue me.

. :A/N: . Sorry it took so long to update, and this chap is another short one,I promise the next one will be longer. Thanx again for putting up with my late updates and short chapters. Thanx much!

Chapter 7- Confusion

Draco watched as the old man watched Ginny disappear from the fireplace and the flames turn back to their original orangey-yellow. Dumbledore turned back to Draco's still form on the bed.

"Mr. Malfoy, why did you take the Draft?" Dumbledore asked, solemnly.

Draco pondered, his mind racing with explanations. Some truth, some pure fantasy, but he knew that this old bat would never know his true feelings.

Finally, he spoke, with only a hint of annoyance, "Excuse me Professor, but, I've just been having some things going on and I needed an escape, not that it is really your business." He smirked.

Dumbledore stood at Draco's insult and smoothed his robes. "Well, it seems that you are fine now. For your actions, I have no choice but to give you a detention, and take 20 points from Slytherin," Draco scowled at the man his fath- Lucius taught him from an early age to hate, "I advise you not to take any more of that particular potion, or any other lethal potion for that matter. I will have a Medic come and check on you later."

Dumbledore made to move towards the door, but looked back at Draco. Draco was about to ask what the old man's problem was when Dumbledore turned and left the room. Draco listened as the old Professor's footsteps slowly receded down the hallway.

Hermione stepped into the hearth and tucked her elbows in and soon she felt herself spinning away from Draco's room. She landed in Dumbledore's office with a thud. Ginny soon followed. They took a seat across from Dumbledore's desk, and didn't talk.

They just waited.

Hermione looked around the elegant office, noting the portraits of all the past Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts. They seemed to go back all the way to the beginning of the sixth century, judging on the outfits, and painting habits.

Dumbledore soon entered the room and quickly sat at his desk, facing the awaiting teenagers.

After a moment of silence, both Hermione and Dumbledore opened their mouths to speak, but Hermione ended up being cut off.

"Wha-"

"You are probably wondering what the outcome of Draco's actions were."

Hermione nodded, Ginny inspected her hands like they were diamonds.

"He turned out to be quite fine, even well enough to insult me before I left, so I think he will be fine. I'm sending a medic to check in on him later tonight," Dumbledore said, "He was given a detention, and docked pointed from his House."

Hermione leaned forward in her chair and asked, "Why did he do it?"

Dumbledore sat, pondering whether or not to tell the girls what Draco had told him, even though it wasn't much. He decided against it and said, "He told me that it wasn't any of my business."

"That was harsh, you were only trying to help."

"Old habits die hard Hermione," the old Professor stood, "Dinner is about to begin, and you two should head down. 10 points is awarded to each of you for your valor."

"Thank you, Professor," both girls said in unison. As they went down the spiral staircase back to the hustle and bustle of the castle neither one noticed Dumbledore's somber look as he sat back down at his desk and rubbed his forehead as if in thought.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked as they walked toward the Great Hall.

"Hmm?"

"Thanks," Hermione said, a little timidly as Ginny hadn't spoken of the incident since they left Draco's room.

"Hermione, I know you would have done the same when put in that situation, but I stand by what I said earlier. I don't trust him, but I trust that you know what you are doing," the younger girl looked at her feet, "I'm hungry, are you coming?"

"I don't think so."

"But you didn't eat lunch either," Ginny said.

"I'll be fine, if I get hungry I will go down to the kitchens," Hermione said, turning back.

"Despite seeing all those 'poor' house-elves?" Ginny asked, smirking a little.

"Good point. Fine, I'll come."

The two proceeded down to the Great Hall and entered. Hermione absently noticed that Draco wasn't at his usual spot, but didn't think on it too much.

They took seats by Harry and Ron. Harry and Ginny started talking about this years Quidditch team and wondering who was going to try out. Ron noticed Hermione's solemn look and asked, "What's wrong Hermione?"

It took Hermione a while to answer, but she finally did, "Nothing, just stress I guess."

"Stress? This is only the second day back!" Ron said, disbelieving.

"Well, I…" Hermione started, "I dunno, just stuff."

"Anything I can do?"

"Not really, but I will let you know if there is ok?" Hermione friendly patted Ron's hand, but when he made a move to grab hers, she snatched it away.

Her appetite suddenly gone, Hermione stood. "I'm going back to my room, see you later."

Hermione left quickly without another word, leaving Harry and Ginny calling after her, and Ron just staring at her retreating back.

Hermione made it to Gryffindor Tower and into her room, where she slammed her door.

Her thoughts swam through her mind, pausing a couple of times on Draco, then on Ron, then on Ginny, and finally again, on Draco. She got up and went to the secret door, intending on talking to Draco.

She passed through the winding tunnel quickly, but when she knocked on Draco's end no one answered. After a few more minutes of knocking and waiting, she finally turned back, crestfallen, and went back to her room.

She put in a CD and lied on her bed. She listened to the first two songs, but at about the third, her thoughts consumed her, and she fell into the silence, despite the stereo being on full blast.

. : a/n : . thanx for reading, please review, and i will have another chap up here soon. I PROMISE it will be longer, lol autumn. thanx much, aly.