Lady-Crymsyn: Thanks. It's good to have new reviewers.
Teentitan1022: Nah, you didn't really sound like a three year old. A lot of people write stuff like that. Thanks for the compliments.
Jackie: Thanks. I kno there's nothing wrong with an unsuspenseful ending, it's just… well, it seems as if when it's not a cliffhanger, people don't tend to read on.
Curlyq2713: Yeah, Ron has a funny temper. Wait until he finds out about Draco and Hermione!
Lazy: Yeah, I had the urge to write "frantic make-out session". I thought it was amusing.
SiLvErEyEdGiRl: I'm glad you love it. I'll update as fast as possible, but I get writer's block a lot.
Cassandra: Yeah, it was kinda weird, but my friend was here while I was typing it and she told me to put it in there. You're actually thirteen, huh? Well, you DO NOT want to know how old I am.
Lady-Delphinea: Well, I can't exactly tell you if Draco is serious or not. But I will advise you to READ ON! Hehe.
Amy (Phoenix): Yep, Simple Plan and Green Day ARE THE BEST!
Maria Casey Weasley: I know, it was weird. But I was in a weird mood that day.
Anonymous: The Nate I know is Nate Schwartz, and you are SO LUCKY you are not going out with him. He's a desperate jerk and a wanna-be.
Dragonmon trainer 5: Thanx.
Samantha Cameron: I know, Ron gets on my nerves a lot. When you said "I can't believe that's where Draco took Hermione! I would have died!", does that mean that you liked where he took her or you didn't like it?
Natty123: Thanx. I try to update fast, but I think my teachers are trying to suffocate me in my homework.
A/N: I'm sorry, people, but I'm feeling rather… romantic today. So please be patient if this chapter is a little cheesy and sappy.
Also, as I explained earlier, I missed some school days because I was sick, and, to add onto the stress, teachers are piling homework. They all say the same thing: "It's March. The year's almost over and we're behind. Besides, you should be used to it by now." Grr… Sorry that I haven't updated in a while.
Chapter 17…
Hermione stood in front of the mirror, combing her hair. She wanted to look perfect for Draco. As she ran the brush through her silky, brown hair (which had straightened out more over the years, yet still had a slight curl to it), a husky, deep voice interrupted her.
"You look perfect the way you are, darling…" Hermione smiled and turned to face Draco, who was leaning against the doorframe. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a white shirt underneath and a nice red rose pinned the tux. His hair bas gelled back, and he was smirking.
"Hey, Draco," she greeted him as he engulfed her in a hug. She caught a whiff of his cologne. "Mmm… I love the scent… Any particular reason why you're dressed up?"
"No, I just wanted to look good. So, we're spending the night watching movies, right? No chick flicks, please," he replied, grinning.
Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. "Don't worry. We're gonna watch "The Ring 2." It's really good… But I doubt you're gonna want to watch the movie in a tux," she reminded him. Draco couldn't help but crack,
"Maybe I shouldn't wear anything." Hermione slapped his arm and flicked her wand, changing their clothes into pajamas. Draco flopped onto the couch lazily and gestured for her to come over. She took her time moving towards him. Draco pulled her down so that his stomach was to her back.
"I love you, 'Mione…" he whispered, sending chills down her spine. She shivered, even though his hands were warm.
The next morning, Hermione woke up on the couch, which Draco had magically expanded so that there was room. Smiling, she ruffled her boyfriend's hair before tip-toeing into her room.
Quickly, she dressed, showered and brushed her teeth before darting out of the room to the Great Hall. As usual, it was noisy and rowdy in there. She managed to slip into a seat next to Harry.
"Morning, Harry," she greeted him cheerfully. Harry returned the greeting before glancing at Ron. Then, he mumbled out of the corner of his mouth,
"How are things with Malfoy?" Hermione nodded slightly towards the door, indicating that she would talk about it later. Harry nodded.
She rapidly ate her breakfast and gulped down a glass of orange juice. "Harry, meet me outside with Ron and Ginny," she murmured in his ear casually as she stood up.
Five minutes later, the group was outside. Hermione raised her eyebrows toward Harry and Ginny, signaling that she was about to tell Ron. Ginny bit her lower lip, worried.
"Ron, umm… I have something to tell you," she nervously began. Ron gave Harry (who had his arm wrapped around Ginny) one last glare before giving his attention to Hermione. "Well, umm… You know how Dumbledore always wants… house unity, and stuff… And… Dra- Malfoy and I are heads… Well…"
"Spit it out, Hermione. I've got stuff to do," Ron snarled. Hermione tried to keep her temper, knowing that Ron was still irritable about Harry and Ginny.
"Dumbledore was kinda encouraging… friendship… between us, so -," Hermione started again, but Ron interrupted again.
"FRIENDSHIP! Between you and Malfoy? Boy, that's a laugh. Like that would ever happen!" he cackled. Harry cast Hermione a "look". Hermione began to get really anxious.
"Ron, we're dating now," she abruptly blurted out, not knowing any other way to put it. Ron froze. He lifted his head to stare into her eyes.
"Tell… me… you're… kidding…" he ordered, his voice ominous. Hermione cringed inside. Harry slowly began inching himself between them two, as if Ron would attack. Ginny's hands flew to her mouth, her body unable to move. "MALFOY? DRACO MALFOY!" Ron exploded.
"Ron, calm down," Harry commanded, his voice firm, but Ron shook his head, glaring at Hermione. She felt ready to cry.
"YEAH RIGHT! THAT GIT! MOVE ASIDE, HARRY! MOVE," Ron hollered. Harry stepped right in front of Ron, a bold look plastered on his face.
"Ron, control yourself. Think about what you're doing," he said. Ron shook his head and shoved Harry away with all his strength. Harry stumbled backwards into the wall and collapsed, not having expected that blow. Ron stepped forward a few steps, causing Hermione to back away.
"Hermione, dump him. Now. That git doesn't deserve you. He doesn't deserve anything. The bastard. He's worth less than a piece of shit. Break up with him," he fiercely instructed. Hermione shook her head.
"Hermione, think about this. He can have any girl in the whole school that he wants, and… he picks you? Isn't that kinda odd?" Ron pointed out. Hermione felt a strange sensation in her. What Ron had said was true. Why had he picked her?
"No. You're wrong. You're lying. He said that he loved me," she said, but there was a slight uncertainty to her voice. The statement was more to convince herself, rather than Ron.
"It doesn't make sense, does it? How do you know that, to him, you're not just another challenge? Another chance to have a good shag?" Ron inquired, waving his arms as he spoke.
"No," Hermione choked out, her voice barely a whisper. She felt tears streaming down her cheeks. Ron grinned evily. Hermione glanced at Harry for help. Anybody. But Harry was slumped on the floor, unconscious, and Ginny was kneeling next to him, trying to revive him.
"Yes. It's true, Hermione, and you know it. Do you really think he loves you? Out of every girl that he's ever shagged, it's you? Draco Malfoy and love? Does that even sound reasonable? Draco Malfoy does not love. He can't," Ron continued. "You were stupid enough to cross to his side, Hermione. You're a traitor."
"No. No! He loves me! He does!" Hermione protested, but it took all her strength to insist like that. Ron's malevolent grin turned to a revolting frown.
"I told you, Hermione, but you insisted that I was wrong. I tried to help you, and you… You denied it." With that, he slapped her across the face. Hermione tried to move back, but Ron kept coming closer. He was closing in on her, and there was no hope. She collapsed onto the floor.
Draco Malfoy paced back and forth in the common room. Hermione still wasn't back yet. Where was she? She had disappeared over an hour ago, and she still hadn't come back.
Just then, Draco Malfoy noticed a slight greenish glow coming from Hermione's room. He hesitated. Hermione does have a right to privacy in her room, but… His curiousity got the better of him, and he reluctantly walked in.
The glow was coming from something on her desk. Draco picked it up and examined it, twirling it around between his thumb and forefinger. It's just a nut… But why is it glowing? Draco then noticed that there were stubs growing out of the bottom. The nut looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Suddenly, it hit him. "A pracuer!" he exclaimed proudly, but his face soon turned to confusion. Damn it! God, what was it that Hermione was saying about pracuers in class? I should have paying attention more… It gives off a green glow if… if its owner is… in danger?DANGER! He froze. I'm not in danger, am I? … Hermione! Hermione! Without another word, he dashed out of the room.
Once again, I want to apologize for taking so long to update. I had no clue what should happen in this chapter.
