The Big Discussion

It was 7:35 and Hermione approached the Gryffindor common room. She stood in front of the portrait of the fat lady and said the password "M&M pieces". A/N. The door swung open. She stepped inside the cozy room that had red and gold decorations all around, walked over to her favorite chair and took a seat. The room was so empty. It felt like home. Knowing that the room was empty she closed her eyes and began reminiscing about the events of the day. A particular event froze in her mind. It was the encounter between her and Draco. She smiled. She hadn't got that far in her mind when she heard "M&M pieces" come from the outside of the room.

She opened her eyes, only to be greeted by a crowded room of chatty children. "Hermione!, Hermione!" someone said through a crowd of 1st years. It was Harry. As he pushed his way through the crowd, he pulled Ginny, or pulled Ron. The three of them took a seat on a large sofa and began staring at Hermione.

"Why are you guys staring at me? Do I have something on my face?" after saying that she took out he mirror and checked her face. Nothing was wrong. So what could they be staring at? After finding out nothing was wrong with her face she put up her mirror and began doing the same to them, what they were doing to her; staring. She had noticed while she was checking her face they were whispering among themselves.

"What's wrong with you guys?" there was a long pause. "You know what? Since you guys don't want to tell me what's going on, I'll start this conversation by myself. Now Ron, can I hear your side of the story?"

Ron, now waking from his imaginarytrance, smiled. He opened his mouth and began talking "'mione, before I start, can I please apologize?" Hermione nodded. "I am so sorry; I didn't mean to, it was an accident. Can you ever forgive me?" Hermione smiled and then said in a serious tone "I'll decide that, when I hear what you have to say."

"Ok. Well I guess I should begin. I know you remember the conversation, Harry, you and I had last night…"

"Argument" Hermione said cutting in

"Ok, argument; and I know you also remember the topic. Hermione we were only trying to protect you. You know how we feel about you. We didn't want you to get hurt.After we left you there we never knew you would cry. But when Draco walked out of the bar, Harry and I followed him…."

"You followed him? Why?"

"We wanted to see, if her had an appointment with Voldermort or something. Anyway to our disbelief, when we got outside, he was gone. We looked in every corner, he wasn't there. We looked everywhere except the bar you were in and Honeydukes Sweetshop. As we began to walk pass the door of the bar you were in, we saw him. He had his arms around you and you were leaning on his shoulder. To tell you the truth Hermione, all the anger from the previous 'argument' came back; that is why I took out my wand. I thought I aimed it at Malfoy but I guess I was wrong." he turned his head and look down. He concluded by saying "...It hit you instead. I felt so bad, and to make it even worst, both Harry and Malfoy gave me a lecture."

Hermione was astonished.She neverwould believe Draco would stand up for her. So shesaid "Draco gave you a lecture?"

"Yes, and you don't have to rub it in."

"What did he say?" she asked anxiously

"He said that I am suppose to be your friend, how could I? andblah, blah, blah, "

"Wow." Hermione looked at Harry and said "Harry say something."

"What do you want me to say, 'mione?"

"I just want you to say something. I do want your input in this, you know?"

"Ok, let me….." Harry began but was cut off by Ron

"Sorry Harry, I have to ask Hermione one question."

"What is it Ron?"

"Do you forgive me?"

"Of course, I forgave you earlier when you came to my room. I didn't tell you because I wanted to hear your side of the story first. Now, can we please get back to Harry? Harry as you were saying."

"Thanks 'mione." he gave Ron a disgusted look.

"As Ron said earlier we don't want you to get hurt; because if you got hurt, we would probably kill the person, who hurt you; especially if it is Malfoy."

"Harry…" Ron began to say "Why didn't you do anything last night when Malfoy had his hands around Hermione?"

"Yes, Harry" Ginny, now joining the conversation, said

"I know that would come up sooner or later, but I didn't do anything because.. Hermione is a big girl and I'm pretty sure she can take care of herself." Hermione smiled.

"I must admit 'mione, we do be a bit overprotective at times, but it's only because we care for you. You're like a sister to us."

"I know Harry and I appreciate it, but sometimes you are too overprotective; especially you Ron, you need to ease up. But lately Ron, you've become a lot more protective of me than Harry. Why is that?" Ron was now sweating heavily. He wiped his forehead and said "'mione before I tell you, I need you to have an open mind. Ok?"

"I always do."

At this time the common room was almost empty; except for Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione there was a study group of 4th years. Ron looked at them and then said "um 'mione… um, I like you.". After hearing, that she opened her eyes wide and said "You what? You like me?"

"Yes."

"How long?"

"3 weeks."

Hermione leaned back in the chair, put one hand over her eyes and let out a loud sigh. Ron, now catching the drift, said "I'll understand, if you don't feel the same about me." Hermione dropped her hands and smiled. "Ron, you know I would never do anything to hurt you or our friendship, so we just can't."

"But, do you have the same feelings for me?" Ron asked. The smiled vanished from her face and she said "No, I'm so sorry Ron. I never meant to hurt you."

"It's ok, 'mione. It would never work out anyway." she smiled. He smiled.

"Well, good night" Ginny said as she rose from the sofa and walk toward the stairs

"Harry and Ron, do you want to do your Astronomy homework?"

"'mione, we have until next week Tuesday. It's only Monday."

"Well I'm going to my common room to do my homework… she was cut off by Ron. "But it's only 9:30; you can stay a while longer."

"Ron, it takes me 10 minutes to get to my room, over an hour to finish my homework and I want to be in bed for 11:00 sharp."

"Ok, well. Night 'mione" Ron said

"Yeah, goodnight." Harry said smiling

"See you guys in the morning." Hermione said. After saying that, she made her way to the head-quarters. She arrived there and said the password "Lemon Drops" and went inside. The common room was empty. She walked straight pass the common room and headed to her room.She gota blankparchment paper, a quill, ink and the parchment paper she wrote the instructions on and headed back downstairs.

When she got there she met Draco and Blaise sitting in the couch, by the fireplace, talking. She walked over to the desk, put everything on it, took a seat and began her work. Draco, not noticing Hermione was in the room, continued talking to Blaise, "Do you know if we have any homework due tomorrow?"

"Why don't you ask Hermione?" Blaise said, while pointing to her. Draco turned his head to look at Hermione, who was writing her Astronomy essay. Blaise looked at his watch and found out the time was 10:18. He looked at Draco and said "I got to go Draco; I don't want to get detention for staying out late. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast."

"Try not to get caught." Draco shouted before Blaise left the room. Draco got up and walked over to the desk where Hermione was doing her homework and said "Hi, babe. What are you doing?" She looked up at him and said "Astronomy homework."

"We're still on for later, right?' Draco asked

"Sure, as soon as I finish my homework, I'll be there; but I'm pretty sure I'll be finish before 11." She smiled at him. He reached over to her face and kissed her. He pulled away from her and said "I'll go patrol the halls to see if anyone is walking about. See you at the tower." He opened the door and vanished after the door closed behind him. She continued her homework. As she finished her sentence and let out a loud sigh. She packed up her items, carried them into her room, put them on top of her desk, and set out for the Tower.

It was now 10:40. She walked towards the Tower, only to be called by someone. "Hermione, wait up." She turned around only to become face to face with……

Wow, a cliffhanger (if you are not left hanging then my purpose was not fulfilled.:) ). Who do you think called her? Review and tell me.

A/N:M&M pieceswas the only thing I could think of.

This chapter might be a bit boring but believe me, it's going to get better

Thanks to:

My friend Hopal, for her help with making my story what it is today, and to

All of you who read and reviewed

It is greatly appreciated