I got this chapter up ASAP...Lolx. To my reviewers...you make writing this worthwhile! Muahahaha!!! And...if you review more...maybe I'll write faster...wink wink nudge nudge Also...to Meg: You were right! ;) To Kurama: Oooo...you're 13? I'm 11...if you believe that...I like your review...nice and long...wink wink nudge nudge To snowyangel: Thx for the suggestions. I was really thinking about what to focus on next, so I'll take your advice.

Chapter 11: Ditched And Furious

"A pool!" Hermione breathed unbelievaby. Indeed it was! It was twice the size of the main bathtub, the design exactly the same, except without taps. At the end was a sort of mini-dressing room, complete with perfectly fitting swimsuits of all types, a wardrobe of towels and a few shower compartments. Also, there was a magnificent sun-roof on the ceiling, as the pool was naturally positioned on the top floor. You operated it with a lever next to the changing rooms. Around the perimeter of the pool were numerous deckchairs, more than they actually needed. To the left was a vending machine, stocked with can drinks and snacks. But you didn't have to pay; you just pushed the buttons and out the stuff came.

They spent the rest evening swimming luxuriously and gazing at the stars, Draco more impressed than he let on. This place had everything! When it was too late to stay up any longer, they reluctantly got out of the pool and showered. Heading downstairs to their rooms, Hermione looked over at Draco and found him deep in thought again. Bidding each other a cordial goodnight, each went into their rooms for solace.

That night, Hermione's dreams revolved around a certain blonde boy.

The next morning, Hermione shyly descended the steps wearing the spaghetti strapped top Parvati and Lavendar had admired so much, together with a modest cloud blue skirt. Clutching her books and dropping her head bashfully, she actually looked...cute. Draco stared and ogled, before remembering his reputation and breaking his gaze for the second or third time that week.

As they drove to Maux, Hermione thought back to her dreams last night. In all of them, she and Draco had been kissing and groping and moaning. She shuddered. What encouraged her to have such fantasies? Was she reading too many romance novels? Probably. Hermione made a mental note to read less of them.

Draco walked down the hallways to math class, brooding. Alexis, Alexis, Alexis... He claimed the nearest desk, as usual and stared off into space while waiting for the teacher to arrive. Just minutes later, he sensed someone come in. Alexis? No. Just a few cheerleaders, gossiping loudly. He was about to look away when he noticed a dark haired head behind all the blonde and ginger. Alexis slid in gracefully, saw Draco staring and glided over. "Hey," she whispered. In the back of his mind, Draco felt an odd sense of dejá vu. Alexis leaned in, so close that Draco caught a whiff of her shampoo...it smelled of strawberries...and then she kissed him lightly on the neck. This done, she walked away to join some of her girlfriends at the back of the room.

Draco stood nervously, his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans. He was stationed at the side gate, trying to look indifferent, but failing massively. What the heck is happening? Why do I feel so anxious? Is it because most of the Slytherin girls look like Parkinson and I can't really be bothered with them?

Draco attempted to slow his breathing down to a normal rate, thinking about the day at school. No, that made it worse. He remembered the kiss she had given him before math... Thinking of it made Draco sweat even more. He hastily tried to focus his thoughts on someone else. Granger...she looked pretty today...don't you think? Waitaminit...what?! SHUT UP! Stupid head...

"May I help you?" A light, breathy voice interuppted his thoughts. Draco looked up and saw Alexis leaning against the gate, smiling a soft, silky smile. The sight of her creamy, flawless skin made Draco's stomach curl.

Silently, Alexis took his arm and led him down the street. They twisted and turned through alleys and suddenly Draco found himself facing a brick wall, with no where else to go. The place had a damp, abandoned feeling, and smelt faintly of beer.

He felt hands on his shoulders. They turned him around and backed up him against the wall. It was a few moments before Draco even realised Alexis was kissing him. She reached around and pulled his head in closer, capturing his lips with hers. Draco was stunned. It had always been him to take the initiative, always him in control. Dominant. This was different...it felt strange.

While Draco had been busy thinking, Alexis had moved on. Still kissing him, she began trailing her hands over any part of his skin that was bare, so lightly that Draco only felt the slightest tickly sensation. Sliding her arms around his waist, she pressed against him with renewed vigour. She leaned in until her mouth was level with his left ear, her breathing not at all flustered. Draco failed to stifle a groan of anticipation. He could somehow sense her smile. Suddenly, in darted her tongue into his ear, sending a wave of electricity through his body. Alexis shifted and kissed him again, this time sliding her tongue into his mouth. Moments later, she pulled back, about to engage in another kind of play, when Draco saw her expression. She had on a smug, triumphant smirk. It was the smirk that Draco always wore after similar 'incidents'. It was then Draco realised what he meant to Alexis. Nothing but a toy. She probably did this to every boy in school, one by one. Thinking about it made him feel nauseous. Disgusted, Draco pushed Alexis away from him and stalked off, but not before taking a backwards glance. Alexis looked stunned, but also angry. The last thing Draco saw before turning the corner was her raising up her middle finger at him before letting out a scream of rage. "You will pay!"