Chapter Six – Damsel In Distress

Harry waited anxiously for Malfoy to arrive. He'd been wanting a word with him all morning but of course he was too busy running around with Ginny to care. At last, Malfoy arrived, followed closely by Crabbe and Goyle. Harry looked at them from head to toe. They were perfect for his plan.

"Finally, what took you so long?" Harry asked as he looked around to make sure no one was listening in.

"Sorry, Potter, but not everyone here is lifeless," Malfoy drawled just like he used to. Suddenly realizing what he'd said, he quickly apologized. "Sorry about that… Anyway, what do you want us to do?"

"Well… I need you to send these two after Hermione," Harry whispered, gesturing to Crabbe and Goyle.

Malfoy looked at him like he was insane. "Why would you do that? If you care about her, why are you—"

"No, no you moron. I'm not going to send them after her… I'm just…" Harry thought of a way to say what he wanted to say. Pathetically, he said, "I'm just sending them… After her. Do you get it?"

Malfoy's blank expression answered his question for him. Harry let out exasperated sigh. "It's just for pretend!"

"Oh! Why didn't you say so?" Malfoy grinned. He liked the idea of getting to be mean again. "What do you want us to do? Kidnap her? Stuff poison in her food? What?"

"None of that," Harry rolled his eyes. "I just need you to scare her. You know, corner her in the hall and be mean to her like you used to."

Malfoy looked frightened. "Are you insane? That girl punched me remember!" he exclaimed. "I'm not letting that happen again you know."

Harry grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. He was very desperate for this happen. Malfoy sighed, finally giving in. Another couple of hours and the plan was set to go. They ran up to the school and spotted the rest of the gang sitting in the Great Hall. Harry rushed over and explained the plan. He gave them each one of the enchanted coins he used for the DA years before. Everything was set. Now, they just had to find the target.

XxXxXxX

Hermione walked in the hall, not really paying attention to where she was going. She was too busy thinking about Harry. Why hadn't he apologized? Not… Not that she was waiting for one. After all, she was the one that blew up and said that it was over between them… But still, Harry should apologize for what he said about her.

Why am I even thinking about that jerk anyway? She asked herself. It's not like I was in love with him or anything… I mean, it's only been a couple of months. Of course… I have had a crush on him for a while… hmm…

She was so busy thinking that she didn't realize that Malfoy and his gang were waiting for her. She walked right into them. All her books dropped to the floor as soon as she saw whom she'd bumped into. Scowling, she bent down to pick up her books. It wasn't any surprise to her when one of them kicked one of her books further away from her.

"Honestly," she said, "haven't you got better things to do than be stupid?"

"Watch it, mudblood," Malfoy sneered. "None of your friends here to help you."

"Unless you've forgotten, Malfoy, I can handle myself quite well." She scowled. She got up and pushed past them but Crabbe and Goyle took hold of her. "Get your disgusting fat fingers off of me you goons."

They didn't let go but squeezed tighter. Hermione let out a whimper. "That hurts you numbskulls." She said through gritted teeth.

"Poor poor mudblood. Whose gunna save you now?" Malfoy sneered. He stopped and looked around as if waiting for someone to come along on cue. Hermione frowned at him. He cleared his throat and said it again, only a little louder. "Whose gunna save you now?"

He continued to look around. Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "You're stupider than usual," she muttered.

"I said, whose gunna save you now?"

Then, as if on cue, Harry rushed toward them from out of the corners. He tried to look as courageous as possible. He tried not to look at Hermione when he finally reached them. He glared at Malfoy, who, in the most childish way, stuck out his tongue at him. Harry, taken aback, took out his wand and pointed it at Malfoy.

"You tell your goons to get their hands off of her," he demanded. He only hoped Hermione didn't see through this very badly acted plan.

"And if I don't? What're you going to do? Call for your mum?" Malfoy sneered.

Harry, not wanting to inflict any serious pain on Malfoy, poked him with his wand. "I said you let her go."

"I refuse to listen to you."

Harry glared at him and poked him again. "LET HER GO!"

Frightened, Malfoy gestured for his minions to let Hermione go. As soon as she was free they took off to leave them alone. Taking a deep breath, Harry turned to Hermione, hoping for a little gratitude, except she was scowling at him.

"I don't know what you're playing at Harry, but you couldn't look more of a fraud just then," she snapped at him. "Hmph." She turned on her heel and stormed off.

"Damn it," Harry muttered under his breath. "Stupid… Ah!"

She turned back to look at him. "What?"

"Nothing," Harry said miserably and walked away sullenly.