Chapter Ten – Late Night Cat Fight

Walking in the dark narrow corridor, Draco felt like he was being followed. He stopped immediately, whirling around to see who it was, but no one was there. Shrugging, he continued on his way, and as he did so he began to feel that eerie feeling again. Someone was definitely following him. Without stopping he turned, but yet again, no one was there. He shook his head. It was very late at night; maybe it was just his senses playing tricks on him. Nonetheless he quickened his pace.

He was glad he was all alone because the next thing he did was truly embarrassing. He let out a shriek. There in front of him stood Hermione, a crazy look in her eyes. It was as if she'd gone mad. Draco walked back a little as she took a step forward.

"Hello Draco," she hoarsely said. She continued to take another step forward. "Rather late to be out and about wouldn't you say?"

Draco was frightened. He stammered. What was she doing here? Why was she there? "Um, heading up to my house tower I suppose. What are you doing around here anyway?"

"Oh, I was just following you," she replied staring at him with her crazy brown eyes. "Making sure you were okay."

Malfoy gulped. "Well, um, I'm okay, you-you can go now."

She smiled smugly. "But I don't think I will." She lunged at him. "You see, I've been wanting to—"

"Hermione?" Ginny emerged from the shadows. Draco stared at her in shock. Where were they coming from? "What're you doing here?"

Hermione frowned. "I could ask you the same thing." She said quite defensively.

"Oh…" Ginny blushed. "I just wanted to see Draco before I went off to bed."

"And why is that?" Hermione asked.

"Well… we're kind of dating now…"

Ginny shrieked as Hermione jumped on her and began yanking at her hair. . She tried to fend her off but Hermione wouldn't budge. Not wanting to give up without a fight, Ginny fought back and slapped Hermione.

"Mine! Mine! He's mine!" Hermione said protectively as she jumped at Ginny again.

"Yours? What—What is wrong with you?" Ginny grunted as she pushed Hermione away only to have her come back.

"AHH!" Hermione shrieked and tried to grab hold of Ginny's hair again. Frightened, Draco turned and headed for Gryffindor tower.

XxXxXxX

Anxious and frightened, Neville and Seamus walked into the common room to find Ron and Harry playing chess. They exchanged a glance before rushing over.

"Harry! Harry please tell me you saw Hermione today," Seamus pleaded. "Please!"

"No… I haven't really had time. How come?" Harry replied.

They gulped. "Uh oh," they said in unison. Harry frowned. How were they ever going to explain their backfired plan?

"What's wrong with you two," Ron asked.

"Have—Have you seen Hermione at all today?" Neville asked, slightly trembling. Ron didn't look up as he said no. "Oh no Seamus… Who do you think-- I told you to find him!"

"Yeah well it ain't easy when you've got classes in between!" Seamus shot back.

Harry had now stood up. "What's going on?"

Seamus gulped again. He closed his eyes as he explained the whole situation. He winced and backed away as soon as he saw the murderous look on Harry's face. Ron seemed to be trying his best not to laugh.

"All we know is, we left her at the library," Neville finished. "Whomever she saw after that I don't—"

Just then, the portrait door swung open and Draco rushed in looking very terrified. The four boys stared at him, wondering what he was doing in the common room so late at night.

"Hurry! You have to come! Fight! Downstairs! COME ON!" Draco said and ran out. Without asking, the four boys followed immediately.

When they arrived they fell upon the girls shrieking and yelling at each other as they fought. Ron stared at the fighting girls rolling about on the floor. Before he knew it, he was cheering. "GO Ginny GO! YEAH! PUNCH! YES! PULL HER HAIR! PULL HER HAIR! YANK IT! I SAID—Ow!" Harry had smacked him upside the head.

"What is wrong you?" Harry asked and tried to pry the girls apart. "Well come on you gits! Help me!"

All at once, everyone tried to pry the quarreling girls apart. Neville and Seamus held back Hermione while Ron and Harry held back Ginny. Hermione hissed and tried to break free.

"What happened?" Harry asked Ginny.

"She's psycho! Off her rocker! She attacked me that filthy little tart!" Ginny shrieked.

"Calm down Ginny darling," Draco said soothingly. Everyone stared at him, trying not to laugh. "Oh shut it."

"Let go of me! Let go! Draco! Draco I love you!" Hermione was saying.

"You get your own man you—"

"Shut your—"

"BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!" Harry yelled. "Neville, Seamus, bring her up to the hospital wing and next time you decide to help, TELL ME!"

Heads hung low, Seamus and Neville escorted a very angry and writhing Hermione up to the hospital wing. Harry sighed and shook his head. Things were getting out of hand and if things didn't light up soon, he was going to be in a lot of trouble.

"Come on Ginny," Draco said taking Ginny's hand.

Harry and Ron glanced at each other. They waited till they were out of earshot and said, shuddering, "Ew."