Hermione was left to stare at the spot Iris had been in just a few moments before.

Why did she ask if I trusted Draco?

Do I trust him?

NO.

Why don't I?

Well, that's the mother of all no-brainers.

But he has changed. I mean I think he has?

I do?

Well, I mean… yah.

Then prove it. Put that ring on.

Fine.

She slowly raised the ring up to her finger. As soon as it touched the tip of her digit she quickly withdrew it. She exhaled a breath she was unaware she was holding.

Ok. So I don't trust him yet.

Duh.

He has to give me a reason to trust him.

Draco sat on his bed. Why doesn't she trust me? She knows I care about her.

Care doesn't define trust, Draco.

Didn't Aidan say you were going to leave me alone?

No. You have to finish the union for me to leave.

Oh. Man I really have to get her to trust me.

…HEY!

If you want me to say I'm sorry don't hold your breath.

silence

I guess I have to wait for an opportunity to prove my trust.

If only he knew just how little he would have to wait.

Hermione approached Harry slowly. Wow, it feels like it's been forever since I've spoken to him. "Hey Harry. How are you doing?" She tried to sound nonchalant but failed miserably.

"Uh, fine. What's wrong?" Harry gave her a strange look.

"I'm great. Sorry I haven't talked to you guys lately I've been… preoccupied."

"With Draco? Eh eh?" Harry elbowed her jokingly.

"Uh… no. Haha." She forced a laugh. So what if I'm preoccupied with Draco? What does everyone have against him? He isn't that bad of a guy. "Uh…why would I be preoccupied with someone like Draco?" Hermione said cautiously looking around making sure that Draco wasn't anywhere within earshot.

"I don't know. I was just kidding." Harry opened the door to potions for Hermione. She walked in only to stop dead in her tracks. There was a girl hanging ALL over Ron!

"Who the HELL is that?" Hermione whispered harshly.

"Uh, duh Ashlee. They've only been going out for months." Harry shot her a cautious glance. "You were there when Ron told us."

"Huh? I was?" Hermione scanned through her memories. "Oh, right I remember that. Wow, I must need more sleep." She hated lying to Harry but she didn't remember any of that conversation. In fact, she didn't remember seeing the guys since Draco told her who he was. Am I really that caught up in him?

No. I can't be. But what if I am?

"Miss Granger. If it suits you, please join our class and take a seat." Hermione looked up from where she had been zoning only to find Snape standing directly in front of her.

"Sorry, Professor." She hurriedly sat down but couldn't keep the sharp tone of bitterness out of her voice.

"Well, now that Miss Granger has decided to join our class, might we start?" He shot a sour glance in her direction.

"Today we are making a potion that turns you into an animal. This is a very important potion that can be used as a defensive maneuver, as many spells reflect off of animals. You must pay very close attention to this because if it is made incorrectly, the potion will literally tear you from the inside out, a slow and painful way to die. So, I suggest Mr. Longbottom, that you pay attention."

Hermione made eye contact with Neville and nodded her head in such a way to say don't worry I'll be your partner.

Draco silently cursed himself. This would have been a great way to prove his trust. But no he had to lose to stupid Longbottom. Oh well, he'd find a way.

"You may move to sit with your partners, and I do not want to hear any excess talking or you will be having detention with me." The sound of scraping chairs and footsteps echoed through the dungeon. Hermione hastily walked over the profusely sweating Neville.

"Neville, it's ok. You will do fine." She started chopping up the ingredients, when all of a sudden something caught her eye. Something shiny in her backpack. It was glowing. She hesitantly looked over to see what it was.

"SHIT!" She immediately glanced back at her hand. It was bleeding abundantly from a slice she had created with the knife. Before Snape could even stand, Draco was at her side. He quickly flicked his wrist at her and she watched through her tears as the wound healed itself. Luckily, she was the only one who noticed he wasn't carrying a wand.

"Malfoy, back to your seat. For your presentation of quick reflexes, I will award you 10 points to Slytherin. But miss Granger, for your carelessness and negligence I am withdrawing 15 points from Gryffindor." He sat back down at his desk and returned to 'correcting' papers. Hermione sniffed and tried to hide her tears. She calmly raised her hand.

"Yes, Miss Granger." Snape drawled her name not even bothering to look up at her.

"May I be excused?" She tried to hide the tremble in her voice but it was difficult to disguise it.

"Fine, be gone with you. And don't come back, by the time you get your emotions under control the class will be over." Hermione grabbed her possessions and stormed out of the room, leaving a stunned class and very nervous Neville behind.

M/S: Hey finally a chapter that I didn't have any major set backs in writing! Wahoo! Keep reviewing ) I need your guys' advice. Do you think that Neville should have a crush on Hermione or is that just too freaky? Should Hermione 'accidently' do something in public to raise suspicion she is starting to fall for Draco? Is this too soap opera-y? TELL ME. thanks!